Prodrugs of 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides prodrugs of biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, compositions comprising the prodrugs, intermediates and methods for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs in a variety of applications.

1. CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/645,424, filed Jan. 19, 2005 and provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/654,620, filed Feb. 18, 2005. The disclosures ofboth of these provisional applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

2. FIELD

The present disclosure relates to prodrugs of biologically active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprisingthe prodrugs, intermediates and synthetic methods of making the prodrugsand methods of using the prodrugs and compositions in a variety ofcontexts, such as in the treatment or prevention of various diseases.

3. BACKGROUND

Crosslinking of Fc receptors, such as the high affinity receptor for IgE(FcεRI) and/or the high affinity receptor for IgG (FcγRI) activates asignaling cascade in mast, basophil and other immune cells that resultsin the release of chemical mediators responsible for numerous adverseevents. For example, such crosslinking leads to the release of preformedmediators of Type I (immediate) anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions,such as histamine, from storage sites in granules via degranulation. Italso leads to the synthesis and release of other mediators, includingleukotrienes, prostaglandins and platelet-activating factors (PAFs),that play important roles in inflammatory reactions. Additionalmediators that are synthesized and released upon crosslinking Fcreceptors include cytokines and nitric oxide.

The signaling cascade(s) activated by crosslinking Fc receptors such asFcεRI and/or FcγRI comprises an array of cellular proteins. Among themost important intracellular signal propagators are the tyrosinekinases. And, an important tyrosine kinase involved in the signaltransduction pathways associated with crosslinking the FcεRI and/orFcγRI receptors, as well as other signal transduction cascades, is Sykkinase (see Valent et al., 2002, Intl. J. Hematol. 75(4):257-362 forreview).

The mediators released as a result of FcεRI and FcγRI receptorcross-linking are responsible for, or play important roles in, themanifestation of numerous adverse events. Recently, various classes of2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds have been discovered that inhibit theFcεRI and/or FcγRI signaling cascades, and that have myriad therapeuticuses. See, e.g., U.S. application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31,2003 (US 2004/0029902A1), international application Serial No.PCT/US03/03022 filed Jan. 31, 2003 (WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser.No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003 (______), international applicationSerial No. PCT/US03/24087 (WO 2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No.10/903,263 filed Jul. 30, 2004 (US2005/0234049), and internationalapplication Serial No. PCT/US2004/24716 (______). While many of thesecompounds exhibit good bioavailability properties, in some instances itmay be desirable to tailor their solubility or other properties suchthat their bioavailability via specified routes of administration isoptimized.

4. SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides prodrugs of 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompounds that have myriad biological activities, and hence therapeuticuses, compositions comprising the prodrugs, methods and intermediatesuseful for synthesizing the prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugsin a variety of in vitro and in vivo contexts, including in thetreatment and/or prevention of diseases mediated, at least in part, bythe activation of Fc receptor signaling cascades.

The prodrugs generally comprise a biologically active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound that is substituted at the nitrogen atomof one or more primary or secondary amine groups with a progroup R^(p)that metabolizes or otherwise transforms under conditions of use toyield the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine. In some embodiments, theprogroup R^(P) is a phosphorous-containing progroup. In someembodiments, the progroup includes a group or moiety that is metabolizedunder the conditions of use to yield an unstable α-hydroxymethyl,α-aminomethyl or α-thiomethyl intermediate, which then furthermetabolized in vivo to yield the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine drug. Insome embodiments, the progroup includes an α-hydroxyalkyl, α-aminoalkylor α-thioalkyl moiety, for example an α-hydroxymethyl, α-aminomethyl,α-thiomethyl moiety, that metabolizes under the conditions of use toyield the active 2,4 pyrimidinediamine drug. For example, in someembodiments the progroup R^(P) is of the formula —CR^(d)R^(d)-AR³, whereeach R^(d) is, independently of the other, selected from hydrogen,cyano, optionally substituted (C1-C20) alkyl, (C1-C20) perfluoroalkyl,optionally substituted (C7-C30) arylalkyl and optionally substituted6-30 membered heteroarylalkyl, where each optional substituent is,independently of the others, selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl,arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroalkyl, or, alternatively, the two R^(d)are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded to forma cycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; A is selected from O,S and NR⁵⁰, where R⁵⁰ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl and cycloheteroalkyl, or alternatively iscombined with R³, and, together with the nitrogen to which they areattached, form a three to seven membered ring; and R³ represents a groupthat can be metabolized in vivo to yield a group of the formula—CR^(d)R^(d)-AH, where R^(d) and A are as previously defined.

The identity of R³ is not critical, provided that it can be metabolizedunder the desired conditions of use, for example under the acidicconditions found in the stomach and/or by enzymes found in vivo, toyield a group of the formula —CR^(d)R^(d)-AH, where A and R^(d) are aspreviously defined. Thus, skilled artisans will appreciate that R³ cancomprise virtually any known or later-discovered hydroxyl, amine orthiol protecting group. Non-limiting examples of suitable protectinggroups can be found, for example, in Protective Groups in OrganicSynthesis, Greene & Wuts, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1991(especially pages 10-142 (alcohols, 277-308 (thiols) and 309-405(amines) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference).

In a specific embodiment, R³ includes, together with A, an ether, athioether, a silyl ether, a silyl thioether, an ester, a thioester, anamide, a carbonate, a thiocarbonate, a carbamate, a thiocarbamate, or aurea linkage, —OCH₂SO₃R, where R is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl ora metal salt (e.g., sodium, lithium, potassium); —OCH₂ ⁺N(R⁵¹)₃M⁻, whereG is absent, —OPO₃—, OSO₃— or —CO₂—, R⁵¹ is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl,arylalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl or cycloheteroalkylalkyl and M⁻ is acounterion, usually a halide ion or the like (acetate, sulfate,phosphate, etc.). Specific exemplary embodiments include, but are notlimited to, progroups R^(P) in which R³ is selected from R^(f),—C(O)R^(f), —C(O)OR^(f), —C(O)NR^(f)R^(f) and —SiR^(f)R^(f)R^(f), whereeach R^(f) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogen,optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lowerheteroalkyl, optionally substituted lower cycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted lower heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted (C6-C10)aryl, optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl, optionallysubstituted (C7-C18) arylalkyl and optionally substituted 6-18 memberedheteroarylalkyl. In a specific embodiment, each R^(f) is the same.

The identity of the progroup(s) R^(p) can be selected to tailor thewater-solubility and other properties of the underlying active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound to be optimized for a particular mode ofadministration. It can also be selected to provide for removal atspecified organs and/or tissues within the body, such as, for example,in the digestive tract, in blood and/or serum, or via enzymes residingin specific organs, such as the liver.

In some embodiments, progroups R^(p) that are phosphorous-containingprogroups include phosphate moieties that can be cleaved in vitro byenzymes such as esterases, lipases and/or phosphatases. Such enzymes areprevalent throughout the body, residing in, for example, the stomach anddigestive tract, blood and/or serum, and in virtually all tissues andorgans. Such phosphate-containing progroups R^(p) will generallyincrease the water-solubility of the underlying active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, making such phosphate-containingprodrugs ideally suited for modes of administration wherewater-solubility is desirable, such as, for example, oral, buccal,intravenous, intramuscular and ocular modes of administration.

In some embodiments, each phosphate-containing progroup R^(p) in theprodrug is of the formula —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)(OH), or a saltthereof, wherein R^(d) is as previously defined and y is an integerranging from 1 to 3, typically 1 or 2. In one specific embodiment, eachR^(d) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogen,substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedphenyl, substituted or unsubstituted methyl and substituted orunsubstituted benzyl. In another specific embodiment, each R^(d) is,independently of the others, selected from hydrogen and unsubstitutedlower alkyl. Specific exemplary phosphate-containing progroups R^(p)include —CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)(OH) and —CH₂CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)(OH) and/or thecorresponding salts.

While not intending to be bound by any theory of operation, when y is 1in the exemplary phosphate-containing progroups R^(p), it is believedthat the phosphate-containing prodrugs are converted in vivo by enzymessuch as phosphatases, lipases and/or esterases to the correspondinghydroxymethylamines, which are then further metabolized in vivo by theelimination of formaldehyde to yield the active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminedrug compound. The phosphate and formaldehyde metabolic by-products areinnocuous.

When y is 2 in the exemplary phosphate-containing prodrugs, it isbelieved that the prodrugs are metabolized to the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine drug compound in vivo by elimination of enolphosphate, which further metabolizes to acetaldehyde and phosphate. Thephosphate and acetaldehyde metabolic by-products are innocuous.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that certain types of precursors can beconverted in vivo to phosphate groups. Such precursors include, by wayof example and not limitation, phosphate esters, phosphites andphosphite esters. For example, phosphites can be oxidized in vivo tophosphates. Phosphate esters can be hydrolyzed in vivo to phosphates.Phosphite esters can be oxidized in vivo to phosphate esters, which canin turn be hydrolyzed in vivo to phosphates. As a consequence of theability of these phosphate precursor groups to convert to phosphates invivo, the prodrugs can also include progroups that comprise suchphosphate precursors. In some embodiments, the phosphate precursorgroups may be directly metabolized to the active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminedrug, without first being converted into a phosphate prodrug. In otherembodiments, prodrugs comprising progroups that include such phosphateprecursors are first metabolized into the corresponding phosphateprodrug, which then metabolizes to the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine drugvia a hydroxymethylamine, as discussed above.

In some embodiments, such phosphate precursor groups are phosphateesters. The phosphate esters can be acyclic or cyclic, and can bephosphate triesters or phosphate diesters. Such esters are generallyless water-soluble than the corresponding phosphate acid prodrugs andthe corresponding active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, and aretherefore typically suitable for modes of delivering prodrugs of active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds where low water-solubility is desired,including, by way of example and not limitation, administration viainhalation. The solubility of the prodrug can be specifically tailoredfor specific modes of administration by appropriate selection of thenumber and identity(ies) of the esterifying groups in the phosphateester.

The mechanism by which the phosphate ester group metabolizes to thecorresponding phosphate group can be controlled by appropriate selectionof the esterifying moieties. For example, it is well-known that certainesters are acid (or base) labile, generating the corresponding phosphateunder the acidic conditions found in the stomach and digestive tract. Ininstances where it is desirable for the phosphate ester prodrug tometabolize to the corresponding phosphate prodrug in the digestive tract(such as, for example, where the prodrugs are administered orally),phosphate ester progroups that are acid-labile can be selected. Othertypes of phosphate esters are acid and base stable, being converted intothe corresponding phosphates via enzymes found in certain tissues andorgans of the body (see, e.g., the various cyclic phosphate estersdescribed in Erion et al., 2004, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126:5154-5163,incorporated herein by reference). In instances where it is desirable toconvert a phosphate ester prodrug into the corresponding phosphateprodrug within a desired target tissue or site within the body,phosphate esters having the desired metabolic properties can beselected.

In some embodiments, each phosphate ester-containing progroup R^(p) inthe prodrug is an acyclic phosphate ester of the formula—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)(OR^(e)) or—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(e))(OR^(e)), or a salt thereof, whereineach R^(e) is, independently of the others, selected from substituted orunsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted (C6-C14) aryl(e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, 4-loweralkoxyphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl),substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl (e.g., benzyl,1-phenylethan-1-yl, 2-phenylethan-1-yl), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—C(O)OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—S—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—S—C(O)OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—NH—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—NH—C(O)OR^(f) and—Si(R^(d))₃, wherein R^(d), R^(f) and y are as defined above. In aspecific embodiment, each R^(d) is selected from hydrogen andunsubstituted lower alkyl and/or each R^(e) is an unsubstituted loweralkanyl or benzyl. Specific exemplary phosphate ester progroups include,but are not limited to, —CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)(OR^(e)),—CH₂CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)(OR^(e)), —CH₂—O—P(O)(OR^(e))(OR^(e)) and—CH₂CH₂—O—P(O)(OR^(e))(OR^(e)), where R^(e) is selected from loweralkanyl, i-propyl and t-butyl.

In other embodiments, each phosphate ester-containing progroup R^(p) isa cyclic phosphate ester of the formula

where each R^(g) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogenand lower alkyl; each R^(h) is, independently of the others, selectedfrom hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted lower cycloheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted(C6-C14) aryl, substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl andsubstituted or unsubstituted 5-14 membered heteroaryl; z is an integerranging from 0 to 2; and R^(d) and y are as previously defined. In aspecific embodiment, each phosphate ester-containing progroup R^(P) is acyclic phosphate ester of the formula

where R^(d), R^(h) and y are as previously defined.

The mechanism by which cyclic phosphate ester prodrugs including suchcyclic phosphate ester progroups metabolize in vivo to the active drugcompound depends, in part, on the identity of the R^(h) substitutent.For example, cyclic phosphate ester progroups in which each R^(h) is,independently of the others, selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl arecleaved in vivo by esterases. Thus, in some embodiments, the cyclicphosphate ester progroups are selected such that they are cleavable invivo by esterases. Specific examples of such cyclic phosphate esterprogroups include, but are not limited to, progroups selected from

Alternatively, cyclic phosphate ester prodrugs having progroups in whichthe R^(h) substituents are substituted or unsubstituted aryl, arylalkyland heteroaryl groups, are not typically cleaved by esterases, but areinstead metabolized to the active prodrug by enzymes, such as cytochromeP₄₅₀ enzymes, that reside in the liver. For example, a series of cyclicphosphate ester nucleotide prodrugs that undergo an oxidative cleavagereaction catalyzed by a cytochrome P₄₅₀ enzyme (CYP) expressedpredominantly in the liver are described in Erion et al., 2004, J. Am.Chem. Soc. 126:5154-5163. In some embodiments, the cyclic phosphateester progroups are selected such that they are cleavable by CYP enzymesexpressed in the liver. Specific exemplary embodiments of such cyclicphosphate ester-containing progroups R^(p) include, but are not limitedto, progroups having the formula

where R^(h) is selected from phenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-pyridyl and4-methoxyphenyl.

As skilled artisans will appreciate, phosphites and phosphite esters canundergo oxidation in vivo to yield the corresponding phosphate andphosphate ester analogs. Such reactions can be carried out in vivo by,for example, oxidase enzymes, oxoreductase enzymes and other oxidativeenzymes. Thus, the phosphorous-containing progroups R^(p) can alsoinclude phosphite and phosphite ester analogs of any of the phosphateand phosphate ester progroups described above. In some embodiments thephosphorous-containing progroups R^(p) include, but are not limited to,groups of the formula —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OH)(OH),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OH)(OR^(e)) and—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OR^(e))(R^(e)), or salts thereof, where R^(d),R^(e) and y are as previously defined. Specific exemplary embodimentsinclude groups in which each R^(d) is, independently of the others,selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted lower alkyl and/or each R^(e)is, independently of the others, selected from unsubstituted loweralkanyl and benzyl. Specific exemplary acyclic phosphite andphosphite-ester progroups include, but are not limited to,—CH₂—O—P(OH)(OH), —CH₂CH₂—O—P(OH)(OH), —CH₂—O—P(OH)(OR^(e)), and—CH₂CH₂—O—P(OR^(e))(OR^(e)), where each R^(e) is selected from loweralkanyl, i-propyl and t-butyl. Specific exemplary cyclic phosphite esterprodrugs include phosphite analogs of the above-described cyclicphosphate ester progroups. Conceptually, prodrug compounds includingsuch phosphite and/or phosphite ester progroups can be thought of asprodrugs of the corresponding phosphate and phosphate ester prodrugs.

As mentioned above, it is believed that certain phosphate-containingprodrugs metabolize in vivo through the correspondinghydroxymethylamines. Although these hydroxymethylamines metabolize invivo to the corresponding active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, theyare stable at pH 7 and can be prepared and administered ashydroxyalkyl-containing prodrugs. In some embodiments, eachhydroxyalkyl-containing progroup R^(p) of such prodrugs is of theformula —CR^(d)R^(d)—OH, where R^(d) is as previously defined. Aspecific exemplary hydroxyalkyl-containing progroup R^(p) is —CH₂OH.

Virtually any known 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound that has biological,and hence therapeutic, activity can be protected at an available primaryor secondary amine with one or more progroups R^(P) as described herein.Suitable active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds are described, forexample, in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003(US2004/0029902A1), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022filed Jan. 31, 2003 (WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029filed Jul. 29, 2003 (______), international application Serial No.PCT/US03/24087 (WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263filed Jul. 30, 2004 (US2005/0234049), and international applicationSerial No. PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. In such 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompounds, the progroup(s) R^(P) can be attached to any availableprimary or secondary amine, including, for example, the N2 nitrogen atomof the 2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety, the N4 nitrogen atom of the2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety, and/or a primary or secondary nitrogenatom included in a substituent on the 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound.The use of phosphate-containing progroups R^(p) is especially useful for2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that exhibit poor water solubility underphysiological conditions (for example, solubilities of less than about10 μg/ml). While not intending to be bound by any theory of operation,it is believed that the phosphate-containing progroups aid thesolubility of the underlying active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound,which in turn increases its bioavailability when administered orally. Itis believed that the phosphate progroups R^(p) are metabolized byphosphatase enzymes found in the digestive tract, permitting uptake ofthe underlying active drug.

It has been discovered that the water solubility and oralbioavailability of a particular biologically active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, illustrated below (Compound 1),increased dramatically when formulated to include a progroup R^(P) ofthe formula —CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂ at the ring nitrogen atom highlighted withthe asterisk (Compound 4):

Significantly, whereas the water solubility of the active drug(Compound 1) is in the range of about 1-2 μg/ml in aqueous buffer underphysiological conditions, the solubility of the corresponding phosphateprodrug (Compound 4) is greater than 5 mg/ml under the same conditions,or approximately 2000 times greater. This increased water-solubilityallows for better dissolution in the gut, thereby facilitating oraladministration. Other active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds havingsimilarly poor water solubilities are expected to exhibit similarincreases in water solubility and oral bioavailability when formulatedas phosphate prodrugs.

As mentioned above, phosphate ester prodrugs are generally lesswater-soluble than the corresponding phosphate prodrugs, and aretherefore generally useful in applications where low water-solubility isdesired, such as, for example, administration via inhalation. The sameholds true for the relative water-solubility of phosphite ester andphosphite prodrugs.

In some embodiments, the prodrugs described herein are2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that are substituted at the N4 nitrogenof the 2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety with a substituted or unsubstitutednitrogen-containing bicyclic ring that includes at least one progroupR^(P) as described herein at one or more of: the nitrogen atom(s) of thebicyclic ring, the N2 nitrogen of the 2,4-pyrimidinediamine moietyand/or the N4 nitrogen of the 2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety. In aspecific illustrative exemplary embodiment, the prodrug is a compoundaccording to structural formula (I):

including salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof, wherein:

-   -   Y is selected from CH₂, NR²⁴, O, S, S(O) and S(O)₂;    -   Z¹ and Z² are each, independently of one another, selected from        CH and N;    -   R² is an optionally substituted lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl,        lower heteroalkyl, lower cycloheteroalkyl, aryl, phenyl, or        heteroaryl group;    -   R⁵ is an electronegative group, such as, for example, a halo,        fluoro, cyano, nitro, trihalomethyl or trifluoromethyl group;    -   R¹⁷ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, fluoro, lower alkyl and        methyl or, alternatively, R¹⁷ may be taken together with R¹⁸ to        form an oxo (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to        which they are attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7        carbon atoms;    -   R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, fluoro, lower alkyl and        methyl or, alternatively, R¹⁸ may be taken together with R¹⁷ to        form an oxo (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to        which they are attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7        carbon atoms;    -   R¹⁹ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, and methyl or,        alternatively, R¹⁹ may be taken together with R²⁰ to form an oxo        (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to which they are        attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;    -   R²⁰ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl and methyl or,        alternatively, R²⁰ may be taken together with R¹⁹ to form an oxo        (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to which they are        attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;    -   R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each, independently of one another,        selected from hydrogen and a progroup R^(P) as described herein;        and

R²⁴ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl and a progroup R^(P) asdescribed herein, with the proviso that at least one of R²¹, R²², R²³and R²⁴ must be a progroup R^(P). In some embodiments, each of R²¹, R²²and R²³ is one of the specific progroups exemplified above and R²⁴ ishydrogen. In some embodiments R²¹ is one of the specific progroupsexemplified above and R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are each hydrogen. In someembodiments, R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each one of the specific progroupsexemplified above and R²⁴ is lower alkyl.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides compositionscomprising one or more of the prodrugs described herein and anappropriate carrier, excipient or diluent. The exact nature of thecarrier, excipient or diluent will depend upon the desired use for thecomposition, and may range from being suitable or acceptable forveterinary uses to being suitable or acceptable for human use. Thecomposition may optionally include one or more additional compounds.

In still another aspect, the present disclosure provides intermediatesuseful for synthesizing the prodrugs described herein. In the case ofphosphate- or phosphite-containing prodrugs, the intermediates generallycomprise prodrugs in which the oxygen atoms of the phosphate- and/orphosphite-containing progroups are masked with protecting groups thatare selectively removable under specified conditions. In someembodiments, the protecting groups are selectively removable undermildly acidic conditions. In some embodiments, the intermediates arephosphate or phosphite esters which are themselves prodrugs that can bemetabolized into active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds. In oneillustrative embodiment, the intermediates include prodrugs in whicheach R^(P) progroup is, independently of the others, of the formula—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(i))(OR^(i)),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(i))(OH),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OR^(i))(OR^(i)) or—(CR^(d)R^(d))y-O—P(OR^(i))(OH), where each R^(i) is, independently ofthe others, selected from lower unsubstituted alkanyl, substituted orunsubstituted phenyl and substituted or unsubstituted benzyl, and R^(d)and y are as previously defined. In a specific embodiment, theintermediates include phosphate and/or phosphite esters in which eachR^(i) is, independently of the others, selected from lower linearalkanyl, lower branched alkanyl, i-propyl, t-butyl and lower cyclicalkanyl.

In some embodiments, the intermediates comprise an active2,4-pyrimidinediamine that is substituted at a nitrogen atom of aprimary or secondary amine group with a group of the formula—CR^(d)R^(d)-AH, where R^(d) and A are as previously defined.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods ofsynthesizing the intermediates and/or prodrugs described herein.Phosphate-containing prodrugs can be synthesized by reacting an active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound with a phosphate ester halide, forexample, a phosphate ester halide of the formulaX—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(j))(OR^(j)) orX—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(j))(OH), where each R^(j) is,independently of the others, a selectively removable protecting group; Xis a halide, such as, for example, chloride; and R^(d) and y are aspreviously defined. In some embodiments, each R^(j) is R^(e), where aspreviously defined. Removal of the selectively removable protectinggroups R^(j) yields a phosphate prodrug. In some embodiments each R^(j)is the same and is selected from lower linear alkyl, lower branchedalkyl and lower cycloalkyl. In some embodiments, each R^(j) is isopropylor t-butyl. In embodiments in which mixtures of intermediates areobtained, for example, mixtures of intermediates which contain differentnumbers of progroups or progroups at different positions on the2,4-pyrimidinediamine molecule, the desired intermediate can be isolatedfrom the mixture using standard separation and/or isolation techniques(e.g., column chromatography). Alternatively, a desired prodrug can beisolated from a mixture of different prodrugs using standard separationand/or isolation techniques.

Acyclic phosphate ester prodrugs can be obtained in an analogous mannerby reacting the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine with a phosphate esterhalide, for example a phosphate ester halide of the formulaX—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)(OR^(e)) orX—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(e))(OR^(e)), where X, R^(d), y and R^(e)are as previously defined. In this instance, removal of the esterifyinggroups R^(e) is not necessary.

Acyclic phosphite and phosphite ester prodrugs can be prepared in ananalogous manner from the corresponding phosphite ester halides, forexample phosphite ester halides of the formulaX—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OR^(j))(OR^(j)),X—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OR^(e))(OH),X—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OR^(e))(OR^(e)), where X, R^(d), y, R^(e) andR^(j) are as previously defined.

Cyclic phosphate ester and phosphite ester prodrugs can be prepared byreacting the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound with thecorresponding cyclic phosphate ester or phosphite ester halide, forexample, a cyclic phosphate ester halide of the formula

or a cyclic phosphite ester halide of the formula

where X, R^(d), y, z, R^(g) and R^(h) are as previously defined.

Embodiments in which R^(p) is —CR^(d)R^(d)-AR³ can be prepared from thecorresponding 2,4-pyrimidinediamine drug using conventional methods. Forexample, when A is O, the intermediates can be synthesized by reactingan active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, with an aldehyde or ketone ofthe formula R^(d)—C(O)—R^(d), where R^(d) is as previously defined, toyield a corresponding hydroxymethylamine intermediate (where R^(p) is—CR^(d)R^(d)—OH). The hydroxymethylamine intermediate can then beconverted into the prodrug using standard techniques. In accordance withthe definition of R^(p), the hydroxymethylamine intermediate is also aprodrug of the invention. For example, other drug substances containingsecondary amines have been added to formaldehyde to afford theircorresponding isolable hydroxymethylamine adducts, Bansal et al., J.Pharmaceutical Sci. 1981, 70: (8), 850-854; Bansal et al., J.Pharmaceutical Sci. 1981, 70: (8), 855-856; Khan et al., J.Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 1989, 7 (6), 685-691.Alternatively, hydroxyalkyl-containing prodrugs can be prepared in twosteps by first reacting the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine with abis-functional electrophile, such as a halide of the formulaX¹—CR^(d)R^(d)—X², where X¹ represents a first halide, X² represents asecond halide and R^(d) is as previously defined. In a specificexemplary embodiment, the halide is of the formula I—CR^(d)R^(d)—Cl. Theunreacted halide is then hydroxylated to yield thehydroxyalkyl-containing prodrug using standard techniques.

Prodrugs in which A is O, S or NR⁵⁰ can be synthesized fromcorresponding N-methyl phosphate esters. According to this embodiment,the phosphate ester groups can be displaced with a group of the formulaR³-AH, where R³ and A are as previously defined, to yield the prodrug,as discussed in further detail below.

Many of the prodrugs described herein, and in particular the prodrugsaccording to structural formula (I), metabolize to yield2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that are potent inhibitors ofdegranulation of immune cells, such as mast, basophil, neutrophil and/oreosinophil cells. Additional 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that exertsimilar biological activities that can be formulated as prodrugs asdescribed herein and used in the various methods described herein aredescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003(US2004/0029902A1), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022filed Jan. 31, 2003 (WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029filed Jul. 29, 2003 (______), international application Serial No.PCT/US03/24087 (WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263filed Jul. 30, 2004 (US2005/0234049), and international applicationSerial No. PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. Thus, in still another aspect, thepresent disclosure provides methods of regulating, and in particularinhibiting, degranulation of such cells. The method generally involvescontacting a cell that degranulates with an amount of a suitable prodrugdescribed herein, or an acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, N-oxideand/or composition thereof, effective to regulate or inhibitdegranulation of the cell. The method may be practiced in in vitrocontexts provided that the contacting is performed under conditions inwhich the progroup(s) metabolize to yield the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, or in in vivo contexts as a therapeuticapproach towards the treatment or prevention of diseases characterizedby, caused by or associated with cellular degranulation.

While not intending to be bound by any theory of operation, biochemicaldata confirm that many of these active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compoundsexert their degranulation inhibitory effect, at least in part, byblocking or inhibiting the signal transduction cascade(s) initiated bycrosslinking of the high affinity Fc receptors for IgE (“FcεRI”) and/orIgG (“FcγRI”) (see, e.g., U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filedJul. 29, 2003 (______), international application Serial No.PCT/US03/24087 (WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263filed Jul. 30, 2004 (US2005/0234049), and international applicationSerial No. PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. Indeed, these active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds are potent inhibitors of bothFcεRI-mediated and FcγRI-mediated degranulation. As a consequence, theprodrugs described herein may be used to inhibit these Fc receptorsignaling cascades in any cell type expressing such FcεRI and/or FcγRIreceptors including but not limited to macrophages, mast, basophil,neutrophil and/or eosinophil cells.

The methods also permit the regulation of, and in particular theinhibition of, downstream processes that result as a consequence ofactivating such Fc receptor signaling cascade(s). Such downstreamprocesses include, but are not limited to, FcεRI-mediated and/orFcγRI-mediated degranulation, cytokine production and/or the productionand/or release of lipid mediators such as leukotrienes andprostaglandins. The method generally involves contacting a cellexpressing an Fc receptor, such as one of the cell types discussedabove, with an amount of a prodrug described herein, or an acceptablesalt, hydrate, solvent, N-oxide and/or composition thereof, effective toregulate or inhibit the Fc receptor signaling cascade and/or adownstream process effected by the activation of this signaling cascade.The method may be practiced in in vitro contexts provided that thecontacting is performed under conditions under which the progroup(s)metabolize to yield the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, or in invivo contexts as a therapeutic approach towards the treatment orprevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated withthe Fc receptor signaling cascade, such as diseases effected by therelease of granule specific chemical mediators upon degranulation, therelease and/or synthesis of cytokines and/or the release and/orsynthesis of lipid mediators such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods oftreating and/or preventing diseases characterized by, caused by orassociated with the release of chemical mediators as a consequence ofactivating Fc receptor signaling cascades, such as FcεRI and/orFcγRI-signaling cascades. The methods may be practiced in animals inveterinary contexts or in humans. The methods generally involveadministering to an animal subject or a human an amount of a prodrugdescribed herein, or an acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, N-oxideand/or composition thereof, effective to treat or prevent the disease.As discussed previously, activation of the FcεRI or FcγRI receptorsignaling cascade in certain immune cells leads to the release and/orsynthesis of a variety of chemical substances that are pharmacologicalmediators of a wide variety of diseases. Any of these diseases may betreated or prevented according to the methods of the invention.

For example, in mast cells and basophil cells, activation of the FcεRIor FcγRI signaling cascade leads to the immediate (i.e., within 1-3 min.of receptor activation) release of preformed mediators of atopic and/orType I hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., histamine, proteases such astryptase, etc.) via the degranulation process. Such atopic or Type Ihypersensitivity reactions include, but are not limited to, anaphylacticreactions to environmental and other allergens (e.g., pollens, insectand/or animal venoms, foods, drugs, contrast dyes, etc.), anaphylactoidreactions, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis,allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, mucosaldisorders, tissue disorders and certain gastrointestinal disorders.

The immediate release of the preformed mediators via degranulation isfollowed by the release and/or synthesis of a variety of other chemicalmediators, including, among other things, platelet activating factor(PAF), prostaglandins and leukotrienes (e.g., LTC4) and the de novosynthesis and release of cytokines such as TNFα, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6,IL-13, etc. The first of these two processes occurs approximately 3-30min. following receptor activation; the latter approximately 30 min.-7hrs. following receptor activation. These “late stage” mediators arethought to be in part responsible for the chronic symptoms of theabove-listed atopic and Type I hypersensitivity reactions, and inaddition are chemical mediators of inflammation and inflammatorydiseases (e.g., osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerativecolitis, Crohn's disease, idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease,irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colon, etc.), low grade scarring(e.g., scleroderma, increased fibrosis, keloids, post-surgical scars,pulmonary fibrosis, vascular spasms, migraine, reperfusion injury andpost myocardial infarction), and sicca complex or syndrome. All of thesediseases may be treated or prevented according to the methods describedherein.

Additional diseases that can be treated or prevented according to themethods described herein include diseases associated with basophil celland/or mast cell pathology. Examples of such diseases include, but arenot limited to, diseases of the skin such as scleroderma, cardiacdiseases such as post myocardial infarction, pulmonary diseases such aspulmonary muscle changes or remodeling and chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease (COPD), diseases of the gut such as inflammatory bowel syndrome(spastic colon), acute mycloid leukemia (AML) and immunethrombocytopenic purpura.

Many of the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds are also potentinhibitors of the tyrosine kinase Syk kinase. Examples of such2,4-pyrimidinediamine are described, for example, in U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003 (US2004/0029902A1),international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022 filed Jan. 31, 2003(WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003(______), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/24087(WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263 filed Jul. 30,2004 (US2005/0234049), and international application Serial No.PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference. Thus, in still another aspect, the presentdisclosure provides methods of regulating, and in particular inhibiting,Syk kinase activity. The method generally involves contacting a Sykkinase or a cell comprising a Syk kinase with an amount of a suitableprodrug, or an acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, N-oxide and/orcomposition thereof, effective to regulate or inhibit Syk kinaseactivity. In one embodiment, the Syk kinase is an isolated orrecombinant Syk kinase. In another embodiment, the Syk kinase is anendogenous or recombinant Syk kinase expressed by a cell, for example amast cell or a basophil cell. The method may be practiced in in vitrocontexts provided that the contacting is performed under conditionsunder which the progroup(s) metabolize to yield the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, or in in vivo contexts as a therapeuticapproach towards the treatment or prevention of diseases characterizedby, caused by or associated with Syk kinase activity.

While not intending to be bound by any particular theory of operation,it is believed that such active 2,4-pyrimdinediamine compounds inhibitcellular degranulation and/or the release of other chemical mediatorsprimarily by inhibiting Syk kinase that gets activated through the gammachain homodimer of FcεRI. This gamma chain homodimer is shared by otherFc receptors, including FcγRI, FcγRIII and FcαRI. For all of thesereceptors, intracellular signal transduction is mediated by the commongamma chain homodimer. Binding and aggregation of those receptorsresults in the recruitment and activation of tyrosine kinases such asSyk kinase. As a consequence of these common signaling activities, theprodrugs described herein that metabolize to such active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds may be used to regulate, and inparticular inhibit, the signaling cascades of Fc receptors having thisgamma chain homodimer, such as FcεRI, FcγRI, FcγRIII and FcαRI, as wellas the cellular responses elicited through these receptors.

Syk kinase is known to play a critical role in other signaling cascades.For example, Syk kinase is an effector of B-cell receptor (BCR)signaling (Turner et al., 2000, Immunology Today 21:148-154) and is anessential component of integrin beta(1), beta(2) and beta(3) signalingin neutrophils (Mocsai et al., 2002, Immunity 16:547-558). Active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that are potent inhibitors of Syk kinasecan be used to regulate, and in particular inhibit, any signalingcascade where Syk plays a role, such as, fore example, the Fc receptor,BCR and integrin signaling cascades, as well as the cellular responseselicited through these signaling cascades. Thus, the prodrugs describedherein that metabolize to such active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compoundscan be used to regulate such activities. The particular cellularresponse regulated or inhibited will depend, in part, on the specificcell type and receptor signaling cascade, as is well known in the art.Non-limiting examples of cellular responses that may be regulated orinhibited with such prodrugs include a respiratory burst, cellularadhesion, cellular degranulation, cell spreading, cell migration,phagocytosis (e.g., in macrophages), calcium ion flux (e.g., in mast,basophil, neutrophil, eosinophil and B-cells), platelet aggregation, andcell maturation (e.g., in B-cells).

Thus, in another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods ofregulating, and in particular inhibiting, signal transduction cascadesin which Syk plays a role. The method generally involves contacting aSyk-dependent receptor or a cell expressing a Syk-dependent receptorwith an amount of a suitable prodrug described herein, or an acceptablesalt, hydrate, solvate, N-oxide and/or composition thereof, effective toregulate or inhibit the signal transduction cascade. The methods mayalso be used to regulate, and in particular inhibit, downstreamprocesses or cellular responses elicited by activation of the particularSyk-dependent signal transduction cascade. The methods may be practicedto regulate any signal transduction cascade where Syk is now known orlater discovered to play a role. The methods may be practiced in invitro contexts provided that the contacting is performed underconditions under which the progroup(s) metabolize to yield the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound, or in in vivo contexts as a therapeuticapproach towards the treatment or prevention of diseases characterizedby, caused by or associated with activation of the Syk-dependent signaltransduction cascade. Non-limited examples of such diseases includethose previously discussed.

Recent studies have shown that activation of platelets by collagen ismediated through the same pathway used by immune receptors, with animmunoreceptor tyronsine kinase motif on the FcRγ playing a pivotal role(Watson & Gibbons, 1998, Immunol. Today 19:260-264), and also that FcRγplays a pivotal role in the generation of neointimal hyperplasiafollowing balloon injury in mice, most likely through collagen-inducedactivation of platelets and leukocyte recruitment (Konishi et al., 2002,Circulation 105:912-916). Thus, the prodrugs described herein can alsobe used to inhibit collagen-induced platelet activation and to treat orprevent diseases associated with or caused by such platelet activation,such as, for example, intimal hyperplasia and restenosis followingvascular injury.

Cellular and animal data also confirm that many of these active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds may also be used to treat or preventautoimmune diseases and/or symptoms of such diseases (see, e.g., U.S.application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003 (______),international application Serial No. PCT/US03/24087 (WO2004/014382),U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263 filed Jul. 30, 2004(US2005/0234049), and international application Serial No.PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference. As a consequence, prodrugs of such active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds can likewise be used to treat or preventsuch autoimmune diseases and/or symptoms. The methods generally involveadministering to a subject suffering from an autoimmune disease or atrisk of developing an autoimmune disease an amount of a suitable prodrugdescribed herein, or an acceptable salt, N-oxide, hydrate, solvate orcomposition thereof, effective to treat or prevent the autoimmunedisease and/or its associated symptoms. Autoimmune diseases that can betreated or prevented with the prodrugs include those diseases that arecommonly associated with nonanaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions(Type II, Type III and/or Type IV hypersensitivity reactions) and/orthose diseases that are mediated, at least in part, by activation of theFcγR signaling cascade in monocyte cells. Such autoimmune diseaseinclude, but are not limited to, those autoimmune diseases that arefrequently designated as single organ or single cell-type autoimmunedisorders and those autoimmune disease that are frequently designated asinvolving systemic autoimmune disorder. Non-limiting examples ofdiseases frequently designated as single organ or single cell-typeautoimmune disorders include: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmunehemolytic anemia, autoimmune atrophic gastritis of pernicious anemia,autoimmune encephalomyelitis, autoimmune orchitis, Goodpasture'sdisease, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, sympathetic ophthalmia, myastheniagravis, Graves' disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic aggressivehepatitis, ulcerative colitis and membranous glomerulopathy.Non-limiting examples of diseases often designated as involving systemicautoimmune disorder include: systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoidarthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, Reiter's syndrome,polymyositis-dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, polyarteritis nodosa,multiple sclerosis and bullous pemphigoid. Additional autoimmunediseases, which can be β-cell (humoral) based or T-cell based, includeautoimmune alopecia, Type I or juvenile onset diabetes, and thyroiditis.

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides schemes illustrating metabolic pathways of exemplaryphosphorous-containing prodrugs;

FIG. 2 provides a scheme illustrating a metabolic pathway of anexemplary cyclic phosphate ester prodrug;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary synthesis of exemplary cyclic phosphateprodrug; and

FIGS. 4-11 provide graphs illustrating various pharmacokinetic data fordrug Compound 1 and/or prodrug Compound 4.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION 6.1 Definitions

As used herein, the following terms are intended to have the followingmeanings:

“Alkyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to asaturated or unsaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic monovalenthydrocarbon radical having the stated number of carbon atoms (i.e.,C1-C6 means one to six carbon atoms) that is derived by the removal ofone hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parent alkane, alkeneor alkyne. Typical alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl;ethyls such as ethanyl, ethenyl, ethynyl; propyls such as propan-1-yl,propan-2-yl, cyclopropan-1-yl, prop-1-en-1-yl, prop-1-en-2-yl,prop-2-en-1-yl, cycloprop-1-en-1-yl; cycloprop-2-en-1-yl,prop-1-yn-1-yl, prop-2-yn-1-yl, etc.; butyls such as butan-1-yl,butan-2-yl, 2-methyl-propan-1-yl, 2-methyl-propan-2-yl, cyclobutan-1-yl,but-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl,but-2-en-2-yl, buta-1,3-dien-1-yl, buta-1,3-dien-2-yl,cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl, cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1-yl,but-1-yn-1-yl, but-1-yn-3-yl, but-3-yn-1-yl, etc.; and the like. Wherespecific levels of saturation are intended, the nomenclature “alkanyl,”“alkenyl” and/or “alkynyl” is used, as defined below. As used herein,“lower alkyl” means (C₁-C₈) alkyl.

“Alkanyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to asaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic alkyl derived by theremoval of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parentalkane. Typical alkanyl groups include, but are not limited to,methanyl; ethanyl; propanyls such as propan-1-yl, propan-2-yl(isopropyl), cyclopropan-1-yl, etc.; butanyls such as butan-1-yl,butan-2-yl (sec-butyl), 2-methyl-propan-1-yl (isobutyl),2-methyl-propan-2-yl (t-butyl), cyclobutan-1-yl, etc.; and the like. Asused herein, “lower alkanyl” means (C₁-C₈) alkanyl.

“Alkenyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to anunsaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic alkyl having at least onecarbon-carbon double bond derived by the removal of one hydrogen atomfrom a single carbon atom of a parent alkene. The group may be in eitherthe cis or trans conformation about the double bond(s). Typical alkenylgroups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl; propenyls such asprop-1-en-1-yl, prop-1-en-2-yl, prop-2-en-1-yl, prop-2-en-2-yl,cycloprop-1-en-1-yl; cycloprop-2-en-1-yl; butenyls such asbut-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl,but-2-en-2-yl, buta-1,3-dien-1-yl, buta-1,3-dien-2-yl,cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl, cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1-yl, etc.;and the like. As used herein, “lower alkenyl” means (C2-C8) alkenyl.

“Alkynyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to anunsaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic alkyl having at least onecarbon-carbon triple bond derived by the removal of one hydrogen atomfrom a single carbon atom of a parent alkyne. Typical alkynyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, ethynyl; propynyls such asprop-1-yn-1-yl, prop-2-yn-1-yl, etc.; butynyls such as but-1-yn-1-yl,but-1-yn-3-yl, but-3-yn-1-yl, etc.; and the like. As used herein, “loweralkynyl” means (C2-C8) alkynyl.

“Alkyldiyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to asaturated or unsaturated, branched, straight-chain or cyclic divalenthydrocarbon group having the stated number of carbon atoms (i.e., C1-C6means from one to six carbon atoms) derived by the removal of onehydrogen atom from each of two different carbon atoms of a parentalkane, alkene or alkyne, or by the removal of two hydrogen atoms from asingle carbon atom of a parent alkane, alkene or alkyne. The twomonovalent radical centers or each valency of the divalent radicalcenter can form bonds with the same or different atoms. Typicalalkyldiyl groups include, but are not limited to, methandiyl; ethyldiylssuch as ethan-1,1-diyl, ethan-1,2-diyl, ethen-1,1-diyl, ethen-1,2-diyl;propyldiyls such as propan-1,1-diyl, propan-1,2-diyl, propan-2,2-diyl,propan-1,3-diyl, cyclopropan-1,1-diyl, cyclopropan-1,2-diyl,prop-1-en-1,1-diyl, prop-1-en-1,2-diyl, prop-2-en-1,2-diyl,prop-1-en-1,3-diyl, cycloprop-1-en-1,2-diyl, cycloprop-2-en-1,2-diyl,cycloprop-2-en-1,1-diyl, prop-1-yn-1,3-diyl, etc.; butyldiyls such as,butan-1,1-diyl, butan-1,2-diyl, butan-1,3-diyl, butan-1,4-diyl,butan-2,2-diyl, 2-methyl-propan-1,1-diyl, 2-methyl-propan-1,2-diyl,cyclobutan-1,1-diyl; cyclobutan-1,2-diyl, cyclobutan-1,3-diyl,but-1-en-1,1-diyl, but-1-en-1,2-diyl, but-1-en-1,3-diyl,but-1-en-1,4-diyl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1,1-diyl,2-methanylidene-propan-1,1-diyl, buta-1,3-dien-1,1-diyl,buta-1,3-dien-1,2-diyl, buta-1,3-dien-1,3-diyl, buta-1,3-dien-1,4-diyl,cyclobut-1-en-1,2-diyl, cyclobut-1-en-1,3-diyl, cyclobut-2-en-1,2-diyl,cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1,2-diyl, cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1,3-diyl,but-1-yn-1,3-diyl, but-1-yn-1,4-diyl, buta-1,3-diyn-1,4-diyl, etc.; andthe like. Where specific levels of saturation are intended, thenomenclature alkanyldiyl, alkenyldiyl and/or alkynyldiyl is used. Whereit is specifically intended that the two valencies are on the samecarbon atom, the nomenclature “alkylidene” is used. In some embodiments,the alkyldiyl group is (C1-C8) alkyldiyl. Specific embodiments includesaturated acyclic alkanyldiyl groups in which the radical centers are atthe terminal carbons, e.g., methandiyl (methano); ethan-1,2-diyl(ethano); propan-1,3-diyl (propano); butan-1,4-diyl (butano); and thelike (also referred to as alkylenos, defined infra).

“Alkyleno” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to astraight-chain saturated or unsaturated alkyldiyl group having twoterminal monovalent radical centers derived by the removal of onehydrogen atom from each of the two terminal carbon atoms ofstraight-chain parent alkane, alkene or alkyne. The locant of a doublebond or triple bond, if present, in a particular alkyleno is indicatedin square brackets. Typical alkyleno groups include, but are not limitedto, methano; ethylenos such as ethano, etheno, ethyno; propylenos suchas propano, prop[1]eno, propa[1,2]dieno, prop[1]yno, etc.; butylenossuch as butano, but[1]eno, but[2]eno, buta[1,3]dieno, but[1]yno,but[2]yno, buta[1,3]diyno, etc.; and the like. Where specific levels ofsaturation are intended, the nomenclature alkano, alkeno and/or alkynois used. In some embodiments, the alkyleno group is (C1-C8) or (C1-C3)alkyleno. Specific embodiments include straight-chain saturated alkanogroups, e.g., methano, ethano, propano, butano, and the like.

“Heteroalkyl,” Heteroalkanyl,” Heteroalkenyl,” Heteroalkynyl,”Heteroalkyldiyl” and “Heteroalkyleno” by themselves or as part ofanother substituent refer to alkyl, alkanyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkyldiyland alkyleno groups, respectively, in which one or more of the carbonatoms are each independently replaced with the same or differentheteratoms or heteroatomic groups. Typical heteroatoms and/orheteroatomic groups which can replace the carbon atoms include, but arenot limited to, —O—, —S—, —S—O—, —NR′—, —PH—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—,—S(O)NR′—, —S(O)₂NR′—, and the like, including combinations thereof,where each R′ is independently hydrogen or (C1-C8) alkyl.

“Cycloalkyl” and “Heterocycloalkyl” by themselves or as part of anothersubstituent refer to cyclic versions of “alkyl” and “heteroalkyl”groups, respectively. For heteroalkyl groups, a heteroatom can occupythe position that is attached to the remainder of the molecule. Typicalcycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl;cyclobutyls such as cyclobutanyl and cyclobutenyl; cyclopentyls such ascyclopentanyl and cyclopentenyl; cyclohexyls such as cyclohexanyl andcyclohexenyl; and the like. Typical heterocycloalkyl groups include, butare not limited to, tetrahydrofuranyl (e.g., tetrahydrofuran-2-yl,tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, etc.), piperidinyl (e.g., piperidin-1-yl,piperidin-2-yl, etc.), morpholinyl (e.g., morpholin-3-yl,morpholin-4-yl, etc.), piperazinyl (e.g., piperazin-1-yl,piperazin-2-yl, etc.), and the like.

“Acyclic Heteroatomic Bridge” refers to a divalent bridge in which thebackbone atoms are exclusively heteroatoms and/or heteroatomic groups.Typical acyclic heteroatomic bridges include, but are not limited to,—O—, —S—, —S—O—, —NR′—, —PH—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O) NR′—, —S(O)₂NR′—,and the like, including combinations thereof, where each R′ isindependently hydrogen or (C1-C8) alkyl.

“Parent Aromatic Ring System” refers to an unsaturated cyclic orpolycyclic ring system having a conjugated π electron system.Specifically included within the definition of “parent aromatic ringsystem” are fused ring systems in which one or more of the rings arearomatic and one or more of the rings are saturated or unsaturated, suchas, for example, fluorene, indane, indene, phenalene,tetrahydronaphthalene, etc. Typical parent aromatic ring systemsinclude, but are not limited to, aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene,acephenanthrylene, anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene, coronene,fluoranthene, fluorene, hexacene, hexaphene, hexylene, indacene,s-indacene, indane, indene, naphthalene, octacene, octaphene, octalene,ovalene, penta-2,4-diene, pentacene, pentalene, pentaphene, perylene,phenalene, phenanthrene, picene, pleiadene, pyrene, pyranthrene,rubicene, tetrahydronaphthalene, triphenylene, trinaphthalene, and thelike.

“Aryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to amonovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having the stated number of carbonatoms (i.e., C6-C15 means from 6 to 15 carbon atoms) derived by theremoval of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parentaromatic ring system. Typical aryl groups include, but are not limitedto, groups derived from aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene,acephenanthrylene, anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene, coronene,fluoranthene, fluorene, hexacene, hexaphene, hexylene, as-indacene,s-indacene, indane, indene, naphthalene, octacene, octaphene, octalene,ovalene, pentacene, pentalene, pentaphene, perylene, phenalene,phenanthrene, picene, pleiadene, pyrene, pyranthrene, rubicene,triphenylene, trinaphthalene, and the like, as well as the various hydroisomers thereof. In preferred embodiments, the aryl group is (C6-C15)aryl, with (C6-C10) being more typical. Specific exemplary aryls includephenyl and naphthyl.

“Arylaryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to amonovalent hydrocarbon group derived by the removal of one hydrogen atomfrom a single carbon atom of a ring system in which two or moreidentical or non-identical parent aromatic ring systems are joineddirectly together by a single bond, where the number of such direct ringjunctions is one less than the number of parent aromatic ring systemsinvolved. Typical arylaryl groups include, but are not limited to,biphenyl, triphenyl, phenyl-naphthyl, binaphthyl, biphenyl-naphthyl, andthe like. Where the number of carbon atoms in an arylaryl group arespecified, the numbers refer to the carbon atoms comprising each parentaromatic ring. For example, (C6-C15) arylaryl is an arylaryl group inwhich each aromatic ring comprises from 6 to 15 carbons, e.g., biphenyl,triphenyl, binaphthyl, phenylnaphthyl, etc. In some embodiments, eachparent aromatic ring system of an arylaryl group is independently a(C6-C15) aromatic, more preferably a (C6-C10) aromatic. Specificexemplary arylaryl groups include those in which all of the parentaromatic ring systems are identical, e.g., biphenyl, triphenyl,binaphthyl, trinaphthyl, etc.

“Biaryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to anarylaryl group having two identical parent aromatic systems joineddirectly together by a single bond. Typical biaryl groups include, butare not limited to, biphenyl, binaphthyl, bianthracyl, and the like. Insome embodiments, the aromatic ring systems are (C6-C15) aromatic rings,more typically (C6-C10) aromatic rings. A particular exemplary biarylgroup is biphenyl.

“Arylalkyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to anacyclic alkyl group in which one of the hydrogen atoms bonded to acarbon atom, typically a terminal or sp³ carbon atom, is replaced withan aryl group. Typical arylalkyl groups include, but are not limited to,benzyl, 2-phenylethan-1-yl, 2-phenylethen-1-yl, naphthylmethyl,2-naphthylethan-1-yl, 2-naphthylethen-1-yl, naphthobenzyl,2-naphthophenylethan-1-yl and the like. Where specific alkyl moietiesare intended, the nomenclature arylalkanyl, arylakenyl and/orarylalkynyl is used. In some embodiments, the arylalkyl group is(C7-C21) arylalkyl, e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety of thearylalkyl group is (C1-C6) and the aryl moiety is (C6-C15). In somespecific embodiments the arylalkyl group is (C7-C13), e.g., the alkanyl,alkenyl or alkynyl moiety of the arylalkyl group is (C1-C3) and the arylmoiety is (C6-C10).

“Parent Heteroaromatic Ring System” refers to a parent aromatic ringsystem in which one or more carbon atoms are each independently replacedwith the same or different heteroatoms or heteroatomic groups. Typicalheteroatoms or heteroatomic groups to replace the carbon atoms include,but are not limited to, N, NH, P, O, S, S(O), S(O)₂, Si, etc.Specifically included within the definition of “parent heteroaromaticring systems” are fused ring systems in which one or more of the ringsare aromatic and one or more of the rings are saturated or unsaturated,such as, for example, benzodioxan, benzofuran, chromane, chromene,indole, indoline, xanthene, etc. Also included in the definition of“parent heteroaromatic ring system” are those recognized rings thatinclude common substituents, such as, for example, benzopyrone and1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazole. Specifically excluded from the definition of“parent heteroaromatic ring system” are benzene rings fused to cyclicpolyalkylene glycols such as cyclic polyethylene glycols. Typical parentheteroaromatic ring systems include, but are not limited to, acridine,benzimidazole, benzisoxazole, benzodioxan, benzodioxole, benzofuran,benzopyrone, benzothiadiazole, benzothiazole, benzotriazole,benzoxaxine, benzoxazole, benzoxazoline, carbazole, β-carboline,chromane, chromene, cinnoline, furan, imidazole, indazole, indole,indoline, indolizine, isobenzofuran, isochromene, isoindole,isoindoline, isoquinoline, isothiazole, isoxazole, naphthyridine,oxadiazole, oxazole, perimidine, phenanthridine, phenanthroline,phenazine, phthalazine, pteridine, purine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole,pyridazine, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole, pyrrolizine, quinazoline,quinoline, quinolizine, quinoxaline, tetrazole, thiadiazole, thiazole,thiophene, triazole, xanthene, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to amonovalent heteroaromatic group having the stated number of ring atoms(e.g., “5-14 membered” means from 5 to 14 ring atoms) derived by theremoval of one hydrogen atom from a single atom of a parentheteroaromatic ring system. Typical heteroaryl groups include, but arenot limited to, groups derived from acridine, benzimidazole,benzisoxazole, benzodioxan, benzodiaxole, benzo furan, benzopyrone,benzothiadiazole, benzothiazole, benzotriazole, benzoxazine,benzoxazole, benzoxazoline, carbazole, β-carboline, chromane, chromene,cinnoline, furan, imidazole, indazole, indole, indoline, indolizine,isobenzofuran, isochromene, isoindole, isoindoline, isoquinoline,isothiazole, isoxazole, naphthyridine, oxadiazole, oxazole, perimidine,phenanthridine, phenanthroline, phenazine, phthalazine, pteridine,purine, pyran, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridazine, pyridine, pyrimidine,pyrrole, pyrrolizine, quinazoline, quinoline, quinolizine, quinoxaline,tetrazole, thiadiazole, thiazole, thiophene, triazole, xanthene, and thelike, as well as the various hydro isomers thereof. In preferredembodiments, the heteroaryl group is a 5-14 membered heteroaryl, with5-10 membered heteroaryl being particularly preferred.

“Heteroaryl-Heteroaryl” by itself or as part of another substituentrefers to a monovalent heteroaromatic group derived by the removal ofone hydrogen atom from a single atom of a ring system in which two ormore identical or non-identical parent heteroaromatic ring systems arejoined directly together by a single bond, where the number of suchdirect ring junctions is one less than the number of parentheteroaromatic ring systems involved. Typical heteroaryl-heteroarylgroups include, but are not limited to, bipyridyl, tripyridyl,pyridylpurinyl, bipurinyl, etc. Where the number of atoms are specified,the numbers refer to the number of atoms comprising each parentheteroaromatic ring systems. For example, 5-15 memberedheteroaryl-heteroaryl is a heteroaryl-heteroaryl group in which eachparent heteroaromatic ring system comprises from 5 to 15 atoms, e.g.,bipyridyl, tripuridyl, etc. In some embodiments, each parentheteroaromatic ring system is independently a 5-15 memberedheteroaromatic, more typically a 5-10 membered heteroaromatic. Specificexemplary heteroaryl-heteroaryl groups include those in which all of theparent heteroaromatic ring systems are identical.

“Biheteroaryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to aheteroaryl-heteroaryl group having two identical parent heteroaromaticring systems joined directly together by a single bond. Typicalbiheteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, bipyridyl,bipurinyl, biquinolinyl, and the like. In some embodiments, theheteroaromatic ring systems are 5-15 membered heteroaromatic rings, moretypically 5-10 membered heteroaromatic rings.

“Heteroarylalkyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers toan acyclic alkyl group in which one of the hydrogen atoms bonded to acarbon atom, typically a terminal or sp³ carbon atom, is replaced with aheteroaryl group. Where specific alkyl moieties are intended, thenomenclature heteroarylalkanyl, heteroarylakenyl and/orheteroarylalkynyl is used. In some embodiments, the heteroarylalkylgroup is a 6-21 membered heteroarylalkyl, e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl oralkynyl moiety of the heteroarylalkyl is (C1-C6) alkyl and theheteroaryl moiety is a 5-15-membered heteroaryl. In some specificexemplary embodiments, the heteroarylalkyl is a 6-13 memberedheteroarylalkyl, e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety is (C1-C3)alkyl and the heteroaryl moiety is a 5-10 membered heteroaryl.

“Halogen” or “Halo” by themselves or as part of another substituent,unless otherwise stated, refer to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

“Haloalkyl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to analkyl group in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced witha halogen. Thus, the term “haloalkyl” is meant to includemonohaloalkyls, dihaloalkyls, trihaloalkyls, etc. up to perhaloalkyls.For example, the expression “(C1-C2) haloalkyl” includes fluoromethyl,difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-fluoroethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl,1,2-difluoroethyl, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl, perfluoroethyl, etc.

The above-defined groups may include prefixes and/or suffixes that arecommonly used in the art to create additional well-recognizedsubstituent groups. As examples, “alkyloxy” or “alkoxy” refers to agroup of the formula —OR″, “alkylamine” refers to a group of the formula—NHR″ and “dialkylamine” refers to a group of the formula —NR″R″, whereeach R″ is independently an alkyl. As another example, “haloalkoxy” or“haloalkyloxy” refers to a group of the formula —OR′″, where R′″ is ahaloalkyl.

“Substituted,” when used to modify a specified group or radical, meansthat one or more hydrogen atoms of the specified group or radical areeach, independently of one another, replaced with the same or differentsubstituent(s). Substituent groups useful for substituting for hydrogenson saturated carbon atoms in the specified group or radical include, butare not limited to —R⁶⁰, halo, —O⁻M⁺, ═O, —OR⁷⁰, —SR⁷⁰, —S⁻M⁺, ═S,—NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, ═NR⁷⁰, ═N—OR⁷⁰, trihalomethyl, —CF₃, —CN, —OCN, —SCN, —NO,—NO₂, ═N₂, —N₃, —S(O)₂R⁷⁰, —S(O)₂O⁻M⁺, —S(O)₂OR⁷⁰, —OS(O)₂R⁷⁰,—OS(O)₂O⁻M⁺, —OS(O)₂OR⁷⁰, —P(O)(O⁻)₂(M⁺)₂, —P(O)(OR⁷⁰)O⁻M⁺,—P(O)(OR⁷⁰)(OR⁷⁰), —C(O)R⁷⁰, —C(S)R⁷⁰, —C(NR⁷⁰)R⁷⁰, —C(O)O⁻M⁺,—C(O)OR⁷⁰, —C(S)OR⁷⁰, —C(O)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —C(NR⁷⁰)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —OC(O)R⁷⁰,—OC(S)R⁷⁰, —OC(O)O⁻M⁺, —OC(O)OR⁷⁰, —OC(S)OR⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(O)R⁷⁰,—NR⁷⁰C(S)R⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(O)O⁻M⁺, —NR⁷⁰C(O)OR⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(S)OR⁷⁰,—NR⁷⁰C(O)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(NR⁷⁰)R⁷⁰ and —NR⁷⁰C(NR⁷⁰)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, where R⁶⁰ isselected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,cycloheteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; eachR⁷⁰ is independently hydrogen or R⁶⁰; each R⁸⁰ is independently R⁷⁰ oralternatively, the two R⁸⁰'s, taken together with the nitrogen atom towhich they are bonded, form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered cycloheteroalkylwhich may optionally include from 1 to 4 of the same or differentadditional heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S;and each M⁺ is a counter ion with a positive charge, for example, apositive charge independently selected from K⁺, Na⁺, ⁺N(R⁶⁰)₄, and Li⁺,or two of M⁺, combine to form a divalent counterion, for example adivalent counterion selected from Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ba². As specificexamples, —NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰ is meant to include —NH₂, —NH-alkyl, N-pyrrolidinyland N-morpholinyl.

Similarly, substituent groups useful for substituting for hydrogens onunsaturated carbon atoms in the specified group or radical include, butare not limited to, —R⁶⁰, halo, —O⁻M⁺, —OR⁷⁰, —SR⁷⁰, —S⁻M⁺, —NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰,trihalomethyl, —CF₃, —CN, —OCN, —SCN, —NO, —NO₂, —N₃, —S(O)₂R⁷⁰,—S(O)₂O⁻M⁺, —S(O)₂OR⁷⁰, —OS(O)₂R⁷⁰, —OS(O)₂O⁻M⁺, —OS(O)₂OR⁷⁰,—P(O)(O⁻)₂(M⁺)₂, —P(O)(OR⁷⁰)O⁻M⁺, —P(O)(OR⁷⁰)(OR⁷⁰), —C(O)R⁷⁰, —C(S)R⁷⁰,—C(NR⁷⁰)R⁷⁰, —C(O)O⁻M⁺, —C(O)OR⁷⁰, —C(S)OR⁷⁰, —C(O)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰,—C(NR⁷⁰)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —OC(O)R⁷⁰, —OC(S)R⁷⁰—OC(O)O⁻M⁺, —OC(O)OR⁷⁰, —OC(S)OR⁷⁰,—NR⁷⁰C(O)R⁷⁰—NR⁷⁰C(S)R⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(O)O⁻M⁺, —NR⁷⁰C(O)OR⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(S)OR⁷⁰,—NR⁷⁰C(O)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(NR⁷⁰)R⁷⁰ and —NR⁷⁰C(NR⁷⁰)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, where R⁶⁰,R⁷⁰, R⁸⁰ and M⁺ are as previously defined.

Substituent groups, other than R^(p), useful for substituting forhydrogens on nitrogen atoms in heteroalkyl and cycloheteroalkyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, —R⁶⁰, —O⁻M⁺, —OR⁷⁰, —SR⁷⁰, —S⁻M⁺,—NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, trihalomethyl, —CF₃, —CN, —NO, —NO₂, —S(O)₂R⁷⁰, —S(O)₂O⁻M⁺,—S(O)₂OR⁷, —OS(O)₂R⁷⁰, —OS(O)₂O⁻M⁺, —OS(O)₂OR⁷, —P(O)(O—)₂(M⁺)₂,—P(O)(OR⁷⁰)O⁻M⁺, —P(O)(OR⁷⁰)(OR⁷⁰),—C(O)R⁷⁰—C(S)R⁷⁰—C(NR⁷⁰)R⁷⁰—C(O)OR⁷⁰—C(S)OR⁷⁰, —C(O)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰,—C(NR⁷⁰)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —OC(O)R⁷⁰, —OC(S)R⁷⁰, —OC(O)OR⁷⁰, —OC(S)OR⁷⁰,—NR⁷⁰C(O)R⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(S)R⁷⁰—NR⁷⁰C(O)OR⁷⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(S)OR⁷⁰,—NR⁷⁰C(O)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, —NR⁷⁰C(NR⁷⁰)R⁷⁰ and —NR⁷⁰C(NR⁷⁰)NR⁸⁰R⁸⁰, where R⁶⁰,R⁷⁰, R⁸⁰ and M⁺ are as previously defined.

Substituent groups from the above lists useful for substituting othergroups or atoms specified as “substituted” will be apparent to those ofskill in the art.

“Protecting group” refers to a group of atoms that, when attached to areactive functional group in a molecule, mask, reduce or prevent thereactivity of the functional group. Typically, a protecting group may beselectively removed as desired during the course of a synthesis.Examples of protecting groups can be found in Greene and Wuts,Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, 3^(rd) Ed., 1999, John Wiley &Sons, NY and Harrison et al., Compendium of Synthetic Organic Methods,Vols. 1-8, 1971-1996, John Wiley & Sons, NY. Representative aminoprotecting groups include, but are not limited to, formyl, acetyl,trifluoroacetyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl (“CBZ”), tert-butoxycarbonyl(“Boc”), trimethylsilyl (“TMS”), 2-trimethylsilyl-ethanesulfonyl(“TES”), trityl and substituted trityl groups, allyloxycarbonyl,9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (“FMOC”), nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl(“NVOC”) and the like. Representative hydroxyl protecting groupsinclude, but are not limited to, those where the hydroxyl group iseither acylated or alkylated such as benzyl and trityl ethers, as wellas alkyl ethers, tetrahydropyranyl ethers, trialkylsilyl ethers (e.g.,TMS or TIPPS groups) and allyl ethers.

“Fc Receptor” refers to a member of the family of cell surface moleculesthat binds the Fc portion (containing the specific constant region) ofan immunoglobulin. Each Fc receptor binds immunoglobulins of a specifictype. For example the Fcα receptor (“FcαR”) binds IgA, the FcεR bindsIgE and the FcγR binds IgG.

The FcαR family includes the polymeric Ig receptor involved inepithelial transport of IgA/IgM, the mycloid specific receptor RcαRI(also called CD89), the Fcα/μR and at least two alternative IgAreceptors (for a recent review see Monteiro & van de Winkel, 2003, Annu.Rev. Immunol, advanced e-publication). The FcαRI is expressed onneutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells andkupfer cells. The FcαRI includes one alpha chain and the FcR gammahomodimer that bears an activation motif (ITAM) in the cytoplasmicdomain and phosphorylates Syk kinase.

The FcεR family includes two types, designated FcεRI and FcεRII (alsoknown as CD23). FcεRI is a high affinity receptor (binds IgE with anaffinity of about 10¹⁰M⁻¹) found on mast, basophil and eosinophil cellsthat anchors monomeric IgE to the cell surface. The FcεRI possesses onealpha chain, one beta chain and the gamma chain homodimer discussedabove. The FcεRII is a low affinity receptor expressed on mononuclearphagocytes, B lymphocytes, eosinophils and platelets. The FcεRIIcomprises a single polypeptide chain and does not include the gammachain homodimer.

The FcγR family includes three types, designated FcγRI (also known asCD64), FcγRII (also known as CD32) and FcγRIII (also known as CD16).FcγRI is a high affinity receptor (binds IgG1 with an affinity of10⁸M⁻¹) found on mast, basophil, mononuclear, neutrophil, eosinophil,dendritic and phagocyte cells that anchors nomomeric IgG to the cellsurface. The FcγRI includes one alpha chain and the gamma chain dimershared by FcαRI and FcεRI.

The FcγRII is a low affinity receptor expressed on neutrophils,monocytes, eosinophils, platelets and B lymphocytes. The FcγRII includesone alpha chain, and does not include the gamma chain homodimerdiscussed above.

The FcγRIII is a low affinity (binds IgG1 with an affinity of 5×10⁵M⁻¹)expressed on NK, eosinophil, macrophage, neutrophil and mast cells. Itcomprises one alpha chain and the gamma homodimer shared by FcαRI, FcεRIand FcγRI.

Skilled artisans will recognize that the subunit structure and bindingproperties of these various Fc receptors, as well as the cell typesexpressing them, are not completely characterized. The above discussionmerely reflects the current state-of-the-art regarding these receptors(see, e.g., Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health & Disease, 5thEdition, Janeway et al., Eds, 2001, ISBN 0-8153-3642-x, FIG. 9.30 at pp.371), and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the myriadreceptor signaling cascades that can be regulated with the prodrugsdescribed herein.

“Fc Receptor-Mediated Degranulation” or “Fc Receptor-InducedDegranulation” refers to degranulation that proceeds via an Fc receptorsignal transduction cascade initiated by crosslinking of an Fc receptor.

“IgE-Induced Degranulation” or “FcεRI-Mediated Degranulation” refers todegranulation that proceeds via the IgE receptor signal transductioncascade initiated by crosslinking of FcεRI-bound IgE. The crosslinkingmay be induced by an IgE-specific allergen or other multivalent bindingagent, such as an anti-IgE antibody. In mast and/or basophil cells, theFcεRI signaling cascade leading to degranulation may be broken into twostages: upstream and downstream. The upstream stage includes all of theprocesses that occur prior to calcium ion mobilization. The downstreamstage includes calcium ion mobilization and all processes downstreamthereof. Compounds that inhibit FcεRI-mediated degranulation may act atany point along the FcεRI-mediated signal transduction cascade.Compounds that selectively inhibit upstream FcεRI-mediated degranulationact to inhibit that portion of the FcεRI signaling cascade upstream ofthe point at which calcium ion mobilization is induced. In cell-basedassays, compounds that selectively inhibit upstream FcεRI-mediateddegranulation inhibit degranulation of cells such as mast or basophilcells that are activated or stimulated with an IgE-specific allergen orbinding agent (such as an anti-IgE antibody) but do not appreciablyinhibit degranulation of cells that are activated or stimulated withdegranulating agents that bypass the FcεRI signaling pathway, such as,for example the calcium ionophores ionomycin and A23187.

“IgG-Induced Degranulation” or “FcγRI-Mediated Degranulation” refers todegranulation that proceeds via the FcγRI signal transduction cascadeinitiated by crosslinking of FcγRI-bound IgG. The crosslinking may beinduced by an IgG-specific allergen or another multivalent bindingagent, such as an anti-IgG or fragment antibody. Like the FcεRIsignaling cascade, in mast and basophil cells the FcγRI signalingcascade also leads to degranulation which may be broken into the sametwo stages: upstream and downstream. Similar to FcεRI-mediateddegranulation, compounds that selectively inhibit upstreamFcγRI-mediated degranulation act upstream of the point at which calciumion mobilization is induced. In cell-based assays, compounds thatselectively inhibit upstream FcγRI-mediated degranulation inhibitdegranulation of cells such as mast or basophil cells that are activatedor stimulated with an IgG-specific allergen or binding agent (such as ananti-IgG antibody or fragment) but do not appreciably inhibitdegranulation of cells that are activated or stimulated withdegranulating agents that bypass the FcγRI signaling pathway, such as,for example the calcium ionophores ionomycin and A23187.

“Ionophore-Induced Degranulation” or “Ionophore-Mediated Degranulation”refers to degranulation of a cell, such as a mast or basophil cell, thatoccurs upon exposure to a calcium ionophore such as, for example,ionomycin or A23187.

“Syk Kinase” refers to the well-known 72 kDa non-receptor (cytoplasmic)spleen protein tyrosine kinase expressed in B-cells and otherhematopoetic cells. Syk kinase includes two consensus Src-homology 2(SH2) domains in tandem that bind to phosphorylated immunoreceptortyrosine-based activation motifs (“ITAMs”), a “linker” domain and acatalytic domain (for a review of the structure and function of Sykkinase see Sada et al., 2001, J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 130:177-186); see alsoTurner et al., 2000, Immunology Today 21:148-154). Syk kinase has beenextensively studied as an effector of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling(Turner et al., 2000, supra). Syk kinase is also critical for tyrosinephosphorylation of multiple proteins which regulate important pathwaysleading from immunoreceptors, such as Ca²⁺ mobilization andmitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and degranulation. Sykkinase also plays a critical role in integrin signaling in neutrophils(see, e.g., Mocsai et al. 2002, Immunity 16:547-558).

As used herein, Syk kinase includes kinases from any species of animal,including but not limited to, homosapiens, simian, bovine, porcine,rodent, etc., recognized as belonging to the Syk family. Specificallyincluded are isoforms, splice variants, allelic variants, mutants, bothnaturally occurring and man-made. The amino acid sequences of such Sykkinases are well known and available from GENBANK. Specific examples ofmRNAs encoding different isoforms of human Syk kinase can be found atGENBANK accession no. gi|21361552|ref|NM_(—)003177.2|,gi|496899|emb|Z29630.1|HSSYKPTK[496899] andgi|15030258|gb|BC011399.1|BC011399[15030258], which are incorporatedherein by reference.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that tyrosine kinases belonging toother families may have active sites or binding pockets that are similarin three-dimensional structure to that of Syk. As a consequence of thisstructural similarity, such kinases, referred to herein as “Syk mimics,”are expected to catalyze phosphorylation of substrates phosphorylated bySyk. Thus, it will be appreciated that such Syk mimics, signaltransduction cascades in which such Syk mimics play a role, andbiological responses effected by such Syk mimics and Syk mimic-dependentsignaling cascades may be regulated, and in particular inhibited, withmany of the prodrugs described herein.

“Syk-Dependent Signaling Cascade” refers to a signal transductioncascade in which Syk kinase plays a role. Non-limiting examples of suchSyk-dependent signaling cascades include the FcαRI, FcεRI, FcγRI,FcγRIII, BCR and integrin signaling cascades.

“Autoimmune Disease” refers to those diseases which are commonlyassociated with the nonanaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions (Type II,Type III and/or Type IV hypersensitivity reactions) that generallyresult as a consequence of the subject's own humoral and/orcell-mediated immune response to one or more immunogenic substances ofendogenous and/or exogenous origin. Such autoimmune diseases aredistinguished from diseases associated with the anaphylactic (Type I orIgE-mediated) hypersensitivity reactions.

6.2 The Prodrug Compounds

As described in the Summary, the instant disclosure provides prodrugs ofbiologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds, such as the various2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds described in U.S. application Ser. No.10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003 (US2004/0029902A1), internationalapplication Serial No. PCT/US03/03022 filed Jan. 31, 2003 (WO03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003(______), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/24087(WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263 filed Jul. 30,2004 (US2005/0234049), and international application Serial No.PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference. Prodrugs of these 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compoundsare of particular interest, as these compounds inhibit upstream Fcreceptor signaling cascades as well as Syk kinase and Sykkinase-dependent signaling cascades. The prodrugs generally include suchactive 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds in which one or more of theavailable primary or secondary amine groups is masked with a progroupR^(p) that metabolizes in vivo by to yield the active 2,4pyrimidinediamine drug. As also discussed in the Summary section, and aswill be discussed in more detail, below, the nature of the progroup canvary, and will depend upon, among other factors, the desired watersolubility of the prodrug, its intended mode of administration and/orits intended mechanism or site of metabolism to the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound.

For example, it has been discovered that a specific active2,4-pyrimidinediamine drug (Compound 1, below), exhibits vastly superiorwater solubility when formulated as a phosphate prodrug (Compound 4,below):

Compound Structure Solubility Compound 1

1-2 μg/ml Compound 4

>5 mg/ml

This prodrug Compound 4 also exhibits superior bioavailability comparedto the corresponding active drug Compound 1 when administered orally totest animals. In fact, unlike the drug Compound 1, absorption of theprodrug Compound 4 is not dependent upon formulation. Inpharmacokinetics studies carried out in rats, the prodrug Compound 4 wasabsorbed equally well from solutions (e.g., PEG-400 solutions andcarboxymethylcellulose solutions) and powders (packed in hard gelatincapsules). While not intending to be bound by any particular theory ofoperation, it is believed that the improved oral bioavailability of theprodrug Compound 4, as well as its formulation-independent absorption,is due, at least in part, to its higher water-solubility. It is expectedthat other active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that have similarlylow water solubilities, and hence oral bioavailabilities, will exhibitsimilar increases in water solubility and oral bioavailability whenformulated as phosphate prodrugs.

Conversely, the corresponding phosphate ester prodrug of active drugCompound 1 would be expected to have lower water-solubility than theactive Compound 1 compound. Thus, it is expected that phosphate esterprodrugs of active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that have lowerwater-solubility than the corresponding active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompounds will be especially useful in applications and formulationswhere low water-solubility is desirable, such as formulations adaptedfor delivery via inhalation.

One class of active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that is expected tobenefit from formulation as prodrugs, and in particular as phosphateprodrugs, includes 2,4-pyrimidinediamines in which the N4-substituent ofthe 2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety is a substituted or unsubstitutednitrogen-containing heteroaryl ring of the formula

where Z¹ and Z² are each, independently of one another, selected from CHand N and Y is selected from CH₂, NH, O, S, S(O) and S(O)₂. Suchprodrugs can include progroups R^(p) at: one or both of the non-aromaticring nitrogens of the heteroaryl ring, the N2-nitrogen of the2,4-pyrimidinedimaine moiety, the N4-nitrogen atom of the2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety and/or any available nitrogen atoms in thesubstituent attached to the N2 nitrogen atom of the2,4-pyrimidinediamine moiety.

In one illustrative embodiment, the prodrugs are compounds according tostructural formula (I):

including salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof, wherein:

-   -   Y is selected from CH₂, NR²⁴, O, S, S(O) and S(O)₂;    -   Z¹ and Z² are each, independently of one another, selected from        CH and N;    -   R² is selected from lower alkyl optionally substituted with one        or more of the same or different R⁸ groups, lower cycloalkyl        optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different        R⁸ groups, cyclohexyl optionally substituted with one or more of        the same or different R⁸ groups, 3-8 membered cycloheteroalkyl        optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different        R⁹ groups, (C6-C14) aryl optionally substituted with one or more        of the same or different R⁹ groups, phenyl optionally        substituted with one or more of the same or different R⁸ groups        and 5-15 membered heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or        more of the same or different R⁸ groups;    -   R⁵ is selected from halo, fluoro, cyano, nitro, trihalomethyl        and trifluoromethyl;    -   R⁸ is selected from R^(a), R^(b), R^(a) substituted with one or        more, for example, from one to four, of the same or different        R^(a) or R^(b), —OR^(a) substituted with one or more of the same        or different R^(a) or R^(b), —B(OR^(a))₂, —B(NR^(c)R^(c))₂,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b), —(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —O—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),        —S—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b)—, —O—CHR^(a)R^(b), —O—CR^(a)(R^(b))₂,        —O—(CHR^(a))_(m)R^(b), —O— (CH₂)_(m)—CH[(CH₂)_(m)R^(b)]R^(b),        —S—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b)—,        C(O)NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —O—(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(m)R^(b),        —(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),        —O—(CHR^(a))_(m)—C(O)NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b),        —S—(CHR^(a))_(m)—C(O)NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)-b, —NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),        —NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)R^(b), —NH[(CH₂)_(m)R^(b)]₂,        —N[(CH₂)_(m)R^(b)]₂, —NH—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),        —NH—C(O)—(CH₂)_(m)—CHR^(b)R^(b) and        —NH—(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b);    -   R¹⁷ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, fluoro, lower alkyl and        methyl or, alternatively, R¹⁷ may be taken together with R¹⁸ to        form an oxo (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to        which they are attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7        carbon atoms;    -   R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, fluoro, lower alkyl and        methyl or, alternatively, R¹⁸ may be taken together with R¹⁷ to        form an oxo (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to        which they are attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7        carbon atoms;    -   R¹⁹ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, and methyl or,        alternatively, R¹⁹ may be taken together with R²⁰ to form an oxo        (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to which they are        attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;    -   R²⁰ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl and methyl or,        alternatively, R²⁰ may be taken together with R¹⁹ to form an oxo        (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom to which they are        attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;    -   each R^(a) is, independently of the others, selected from        hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, cyclohexyl, (C4-C11)        cycloalkylalkyl, (C6-C10) aryl, phenyl, (C7-C16) arylalkyl,        benzyl, 2-6 membered heteroalkyl, 3-8 membered cycloheteroalkyl,        morpholinyl, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, piperidinyl, 4-11        membered cycloheteroalkylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl and        6-16 membered heteroarylalkyl;    -   each R^(b) is a suitable group independently selected from ═O,        —OR^(a), (C₁-C₃) haloalkyloxy, ═S, —SR^(a), ═NR^(a), ═NOR^(a),        —NR^(c)R^(c), halogen, —CF₃, —CN, —NC, —OCN, —SCN, —NO, —NO₂,        ═N₂, —N₃, —S(O)R³, —S(O)₂R^(a), —S(O)₂OR³, —S(O)NR^(c)R^(c),        —S(O)₂NR^(c)R^(c), —OS(O)R^(a), —OS(O)₂R^(a), —OS(O)₂OR³,        —OS(O)₂NR^(c)R^(c), —C(O)R³, —C(O)OR³, —C(O)NR^(c)R^(c),        —C(NH)NR^(c)R^(c), —C(NR^(a))NR^(c)R^(c), —C(NOH)R^(a),        —C(NOH)NR^(c)R^(c), —OC(O)R³, —OC(O)OR^(a), —OC(O)NR^(c)R^(c),        —OC(NH)NR^(c)R^(c), —OC(NR^(a))NR^(c)R^(c), —[NHC(O)]_(n)R^(a),        —[NR^(a)C(O)]_(n)R^(a), —[NHC(O)]_(n)OR^(a),        —[NR^(a)C(O)]_(n)OR^(a), —[NHC(O)]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c),        —[NR^(a)C(O)]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c), —[NHC(NH)]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c) and        —[NR^(a)C(NR^(a))]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c);    -   each R^(c) is, independently of the others, selected from a        protecting group and R^(a), or, alternatively, the two R^(c)        bonded to the same nitrogen atom are taken together with that        nitrogen atom to form a 5 to 8-membered cycloheteroalkyl or        heteroaryl which may optionally include one or more of the same        or different additional heteroatoms and which may optionally be        substituted with one or more, for example, from one to four, of        the same or different R^(a) groups;    -   R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each, independently of one another,        selected from hydrogen and a progroup R^(p);    -   R²⁴ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl and progroup R^(P);    -   each m is, independently of the others, an integer from 1 to 3;        and    -   each n is, independently of the others, an integer from 0 to 3,        with the proviso that at least one of R²¹, R²², R²¹ and R²⁴ is a        progroup.

In the prodrugs described herein, and in particular in the prodrugs ofstructural formula (I), R²¹, R²² and R²³ each represent either hydrogenor a progroup R^(P). Also, R²⁴ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl or aprogroup R^(P). Thus, the prodrugs can include a single R^(P) progroup,two R^(P) progroups, three R^(P) progroups, or even more R^(P)progroups, depending, in part, on the identity of Y and whether the R²substituent includes any R^(P) progroups. In some embodiments, it ispreferred that the prodrugs described herein, and in particular theprodrugs of structural formula (I), include only one R^(P) group.Without intending to be bound by any theory of operation, it is possiblethat the different R^(P) groups in prodrugs including more than oneR^(P) progroup may metabolize at different rates. Prodrugs including asingle R^(P) progroup would avoid such differential metabolic kinetics.A specific embodiment of prodrugs according to structural formula (I)that include a single progroup R^(P) are compounds according tostructural formula (Ia):

wherein Y¹ is selected from CH₂, NR²⁴, O, S, S(O) and S(O)₂; and Z², R²,R⁵, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²⁴ and R^(P) are as previously defined, withthe proviso that R²⁰² does not include any R^(P) groups.

The identity of any R^(P) progroups present in the prodrugs describedherein is not critical for success, provided that it hydrolyzes underthe conditions of use to yield the active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompound. It has recently been discovered that a phosphate-containingprodrug according to the structure illustrated below:

metabolizes in vivo to the corresponding active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompound (Compound 1), illustrated below:

While not intending to be bound by any particular theory operation, itis believed that this prodrug metabolizes to active Compound 1 via thecorresponding hydroxymethylamine intermediate illustrated below:

Such hydroxymethylamine compound are known to be unstable underphysiological conditions and various pH ranges where they hydrolyze invivo to yield formaldehyde and the active drug substance. Based on thisobservation, it is believed that prodrugs that include hydroxyl“protecting” groups that can be metabolized in vivo, for example by theacidic conditions of the stomach and/or by enzymes present in thedigestive tract or other organs and/or tissues or fluids with the body,to yield the hydroxymethylamine intermediate illustrated above willlikewise metabolize to the active 2,4 pyrimidinediamine drug.

Moreover, it is expected that the amino and thio analogs of thishydroxymethylamine intermediate, will be similarly unstable atphysiological conditions and also hydrolyze in vivo to the active2,4-pyrimdiendiamine drug. Accordingly, it is also expected that thecorresponding amino and thio compounds, as well as compounds in whichthe α-amino and α-thio groups are masked with “protecting” groups thatare removed under physiological conditions of use to yield the α-aminoand α-thio groups, will likewise make suitable prodrugs.

Thus, in some embodiments, the progroup(s) R^(p) in the prodrugs ofstructural formulae (I) and (Ia) are of the formula —CR^(d)R^(d)-A-R³,where each R^(d) is, independently of the other, selected from hydrogen,cyano, —C(O)R^(e), —C(O)OR^(e), —C(O)NR^(e)R^(e), —C(OR^(e))(OR^(e)),optionally substituted (C1-C20) alkyl, (C1-C20) perfluoroalkyl,optionally substituted (C7-C30) arylalkyl and optionally substituted6-30 membered heteroarylalkyl, where each R^(e) is, independently of theothers, selected from hydrogen, alkyl (for example lower alkyl), aryl(for example phenyl or naphthyl, arylalkyl (for example benzyl),heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; A is selected from O, S and NR⁵⁰, whereR⁵⁰ is selected from R^(d) and cycloalkyl, or, alternatively, is takentogether with R³ such that R⁵⁰ and R³, together with nitrogen atom towhich they are attached, form a three-to seven-membered ring; and R³ isa group that, together with A, metabolizes under the conditions of useto yield an intermediate group of the formula —CR^(d)R^(d)AH, whereR^(d) and A are as previously defined. As mentioned above, compounds ofstructural formula (I) and (Ia) in which the R^(p) groups are of theformula —CR^(d)R^(d)-AH spontaneously hydrolyze in vivo to yield theactive 2,4-pyrimidinediamine drug.

The mechanism by which the R³ group metabolizes to yield intermediategroup —CR^(d)R^(d)-A-His not critical, and can be caused by, forexample, hydrolysis under the acidic conditions of the stomach, and/orby enzymes present in the digestive tract and/or tissues or organs ofthe body. Indeed, the R³ group(s) can be selected to metabolize at aparticular site within the body. For example, many esters are cleavedunder the acidic conditions found in the stomach. Prodrugs designed tocleave chemically in the stomach to the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine canemploy progroups including such esters. Alternatively, the progroups maybe designed to metabolize in the presence of enzymes such as esterases,amidases, lipolases, phosphatases including ATPases and kinase etc., toyield the intermediate group of formula —CR^(d)R^(d)-A-H. Progroupsincluding linkages capable of metabolizing in vivo to yield such anintermediate group are well-known, and include, by way of example andnot limitation, ethers, thioethers, silylethers, silylthioethers,esters, thioesters, carbonates, thiocarbonates, carbamates,thiocarbamates, ureas, thioureas, carboxamides, etc. In some instances,a “precursor” group that is oxidized by oxidative enzymes such as, forexample, cytochrome P450 of the liver, to a metabolizable group, can beselected.

The identity of the R³ group can also be selected so as to impart theprodrug with desirable characteristics. For example, lipophilic groupscan be used to decrease water solubility and hydrophilic groups can beused to increase water solubility. In this way, prodrugs specificallytailored for selected modes of administration can be obtained. The R³group can also be designed to impart the prodrug with other properties,such as, for example, improved passive intestinal absorption, improvedtransport-mediated intestinal absorption, protection against fastmetabolism (slow-release prodrugs), tissue-selective delivery, passiveenrichment in target tissues, targeting-specific transporters, etc.Groups capable of imparting prodrugs with these characteristics arewell-known, and are described, for example, in Ettmayer et al., 2004, J.Med. Chem. 47(10:2393-2404), the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference. All of the various groups described in these references canbe utilized in the prodrugs described herein.

In some embodiments, R³ is selected from —R^(f), —C(O)R^(f),—C(O)NR^(f)R^(f) and —SiR^(f)R^(f)R^(f), where the R^(f) groups areselected so as to impart the prodrugs with desired bioavailability,cleavage and/or targeting properties. In a specific embodiment, theR^(f) groups are selected to impart the prodrug with higherwater-solubility than the underlying active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine drug.Thus, in some embodiments, the R^(f) groups are selected such that they,taken together with the heteroatom or group to which they are bonded,are hydrophilic in character. Such hydrophilic groups can be charged oruncharged, as is well-known in the art. As specific examples, the R^(f)groups may be selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted loweralkyl, optionally substituted lower heteroalkyl, optionally substitutedlower cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower heterocycloalkyl,optionally substituted (C6-C10) aryl, optionally substituted 5-10membered heteroaryl, optionally substituted (C7-C18) arylalkyl andoptionally substituted 6-18 membered heteroarylalkyl. The nature of anypresent substituents can vary widely, as is known in the art. In someembodiments any present substituents are, independently of one another,selected from R^(b), defined above.

In a specific embodiment, the progroups on the prodrugs of formula (I)and/or (Ia) are of the formula —CR^(d)R^(d)-A-R³, where R³ is selectedfrom —(CH₂)_(i)—R^(b), —C(O)R^(a), —C(O)—(CH₂)_(i)—R^(b), —C(O)O—R^(a)and —C(O)O—(CH₂)_(i)—R^(b), where X, R^(a), R^(b) and R^(d) are aspreviously defined, and i is an integer ranging from 0 to 6. Specific,non-limiting, examples of exemplary water-solubility increasingprogroups include by the way of example and not limitation, hydrophilicgroups such as alkyl, arylk, arylalkyl, or cycloheteroalkyl groupssubstituted with one or more of an amine, alcohol, a carboxylic acid, aphosphorous acid, a sulfoxide, a sugar, an amino acid, a thiol, apolyol, a ether, a thioether and a quaternary amine salt.

One important class of progroups includes progroups that contain aphosphate group, for example, phosphate-containing progroups of theformula —(R^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)₂, where R^(d) is as defined aboveand y is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, typically 1 or 2. In a specificembodiment, each R^(d) is, independently of the others, selected fromhydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted (C6-C14) aryl and substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20)arylalkyl.

While not intending to be bound by any theory of operation, it isbelieved that such phosphate-containing progroups R^(p) act assubstrates for both alkaline and acid phosphatase enzymes, leading totheir removal from the prodrugs under physiological conditions of use.As alkaline phosphatases are abundant in the digestive tract of humans,phosphate-containing progroups R^(P) that can be cleaved in the presenceof alkaline phosphatases are particularly suitable for formulatingphosphate-containing prodrugs intended for oral administration. Specificexamples of phosphate-containing progroups R^(P) suitable for use inprodrugs intended for oral administration include, but are not limitedto, groups of the formula —(R^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)₂ in which eachR^(d) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogen andunsubstituted lower alkanyl. Exemplary embodiments of suchphosphate-containing progroups include, but are not limited to,—CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂ and —CH₂CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂.

Although phosphate-containing prodrugs suitable for oral administrationare of interest, skilled artisans will appreciate that prodrugsincluding phosphate-containing progroups R^(p) can be administered viaother routes of administration, as phosphatases are distributedthroughout the body. For example, exemplary prodrug Compound 4 has beenfound to metabolize to the active drug Compound 1 in in vitroexperiments carried out with rat plasma, as well as with rat hepatic andintestinal microsomal preparations, indicating that phosphatases arealso present in plasma. Thus, the only requirement is that theparticular phosphate-containing progroup R^(P) selected should beremovable under the conditions of intended use.

While not intending to be bound by any theory of operation, it isbelieved that when y is 1, phosphate-containing prodrugs, such as thoseaccording to structural formula (Ia), are metabolized to the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound via the corresponding hydroxymethylamine.This metabolism is illustrated in FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 1A, removalof phosphoric acid from phosphate prodrug 16 via enzymatic hydrolysisyields the corresponding hydroxymethylamine 18, which undergoeshydrolysis in vivo to yield formaldehyde and active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound 10.

Referring to FIG. 1B, when y is 2, it is believed that in vivohydrolysis of phosphate prodrug 26 yields active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine10 and enol phosphate, which then hydrolyses in vivo to acetaldehyde andphosphoric acid.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, skilled artisan will appreciate that whilehydroxymethylamine 18 metabolizes under physiological conditions toyield active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound 10, it is stable at pH 7 andcan therefore be prepared and administered as a hydroxyalkyl-containingprodrug of active compound 10. Thus, in some embodiments of the prodrugsof structural formula (I), R^(p) is a hydroxyalkyl-containing progroupof the formula —CR^(d)R^(d)—OH, where R^(d) is as previously defined. Ina specific exemplary embodiment, R^(p) is —CH₂OH.

Still referring again to FIG. 1A, skilled artisans will also appreciatethat phosphate prodrugs can be generated by in vivo hydrolysis ofphosphate ester prodrugs, such as phosphate ester prodrugs 20 and/or byin vivo oxidation of phosphite prodrugs, such as phosphite prodrugs 24.Such phosphate ester and phosphite prodrugs can in turn be generated byeither in vivo oxidation or hydrolysis of phosphite ester prodrugs suchas phosphite ester prodrugs 22. The corresponding phosphate ester,phosphite and phosphite ester prodrugs of phosphate prodrug 26 areillustrated in FIG. 1B as compounds 30, 34 and 32, respectively. Thus,as will be appreciated by skilled artisans, prodrugs that includeprecursors of phosphates that can metabolize into phosphate groups invivo are also included in the present invention.

In some embodiments of such prodrugs, the phosphorous-containingprogroup R^(p) comprises a phosphite group. A specific exemplaryembodiment of such phosphite-containing prodrugs includes prodrugcompounds in which the progroup R^(p) is of the formula—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OH)(OH), where R^(d) and y are as previouslydefined.

In other embodiments of such prodrugs, the phosphorous-containingprogroup R^(p) comprises an acyclic phosphate ester or phosphite estergroup. Specific exemplary embodiments of such acyclic phosphate esterand phosphite ester prodrugs include progroups R^(p) of the formula—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)(OR^(e)),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(e))₂, —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OH)(OR^(e))and —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(OR^(e))₂, where R^(e) is selected fromsubstituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted(C6-C14) aryl (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, 4-lower alkoxyphenyl,4-methoxyphenyl), substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl (e.g.,benzyl, 1-phenylethan-1-yl, 2-phenylethan-1-yl),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—C(O)R^(f)—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—C(O)OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—S—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—S—C(O)OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—NH—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—NH—C(O)OR^(f) and—Si(R^(d))₃, wherein each R^(f) is, independently of the others,selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted (C6-C14) aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl, and R^(d) and y are as previouslydefined.

In still other embodiments, phosphorous-containing prodrugs that includephosphate precursors are prodrugs in which the phosphorous-containingprogroup R^(p) comprises a cyclic phosphate ester of the formula

where each R^(g) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogenand lower alkyl; each R^(h) is, independently of the others, selectedfrom hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted lower cycloheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted(C6-C14) aryl, substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl andsubstituted or unsubstituted 5-14 membered heteroaryl; z is an integerranging from 0 to 2; and R^(d) and y are as previously defined.

In still other embodiments, phosphorous-containing prodrugs that includephosphate precursors are prodrugs in which the phosphorous-containingprogroup R^(P) comprises a cyclic phosphite ester of the formula

where R^(g), R^(h), R^(d), y and z are as previously defined.

In some embodiments, the substituents R^(h) on such cyclic phosphateester and phosphite ester prodrugs are selected such that the progroupis metabolized in vitro by esterase enzymes. Specific examples of suchphosphate ester and phosphite ester progroups include those in whicheach R^(h) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogen,lower alkyl, methyl, ethyl and propyl. In some embodiments, suchprogroups are selected from

Many of these phosphate esters and phosphite esters are acid label and,when administered orally, metabolize to the corresponding phosphates andphosphites under the acidic conditions of the stomach and/or gut.

Thus, in the phosphorous-containing prodrugs described herein, theidentity of the particular phosphorous-containing progroups R^(p)employed can be selected to tailor the prodrugs for particular modes ofdelivery, etc.

The suitability of any particular progroup R^(p) for a desired mode ofadministration can be confirmed in biochemical assays. For example, if aprodrug is to be administered by injection into a particular tissue ororgan, and the identities of the various phosphatases expressed in thetissue or organ are known, the particular prodrug can be tested formetabolism in biochemical assays with the isolated phosphatase(s).Alternatively, the particular prodrug can be tested for metabolism tothe active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound with tissue and/or organextracts. Using tissue and/or organ extracts can be of particularconvenience when the identity(ies) of the phosphatases expressed in thetarget tissues or organs are unknown, or in instances when the isolatedphosphatases are not conveniently available. Skilled artisans will beable to readily select progroups R^(p) having metabolic properties (suchas kinetics) suitable for particular applications using such in vitrotests. Of course, specific prodrugs could also be tested for suitablemetabolism in in vitro animal models.

In some embodiments, the prodrugs are prodrugs according to structuralformula (I) or (Ia) that have one or more features selected from:

-   -   (i) R⁵ is fluoro;    -   (ii) R² is a phenyl optionally substituted with one or more of        the same or different R⁸ groups;    -   (iii) R² is 3,4,5-tri(loweralkoxy)phenyl;    -   (iv) R² is 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl;    -   (v) Y or Y¹ is O; Z¹ is CH, Z² is N; R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each        methyl; and R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are taken together to form an oxogroup;        and    -   (vi) R^(p) is a hydroxyalkyl-containing progroup of the formula        —CH₂OH, or a phosphate-containing progroup of the formula        —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)₂, or a phosphate ester, phosphite        or phosphite ester analog thereof, wherein y is 1 or 2 and each        R^(d) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogen        and unsubstituted lower alkyl, or    -   (vii) R^(p) is selected from —CH₂OH, CH₂—SH, —CH₂—NH₂,        —CH₂—NHR⁵⁰, —CH₂—N(R⁵⁰)₂, —CH₂-A-R^(f), —CH₂-A-C(O)R^(f),        —CH₂-A-C(O)OR^(f) and —CH₂-A-C(O)NR^(f)R^(f), where A, R⁵⁰ and        R^(f) are as previously defined.

In some embodiments, the prodrugs of structural formulae (I) and (Ia)have two or three of the above-delineated features. In one specificembodiment, the prodrugs have features (i), (iii) and (v). In anotherspecific embodiment, the prodrugs have features (i), (iv) and (v). Instill another specific embodiment, the prodrugs have features (i),(iii), (v) and (vi) or (vii). In still another specific embodiment, theprodrugs have features (i), (iv), (v) and (vi) or (vii). In stillanother specific embodiment, R^(p) is a phosphate-containing progroup ofthe formula —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)₂.

In all of the compounds described herein that include substituentalternatives that may be substituted, such as, for example, some of thesubstituent alternatives delineated for R^(d), R^(e), R^(f), R^(g),R^(h), R^(i) and R^(j), the substitutions are typically, independentlyof one another, selected from amongst the R^(b) groups described inconnection with structural formula (I). In a specific embodiment, anypresent substitutions are, independently of one another, selected fromhydroxyl, lower alkoxy, (C6-C14) aryloxy, lower alkoxyalkyl,methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl and halogen.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that many of the prodrugsdescribed herein, as well as the various prodrug species specificallydescribed and/or illustrated herein, may exhibit the phenomena oftautomerism, conformational isomerism, geometric isomerism and/oroptical isomerism. For example, the prodrugs may include one or morechiral centers and/or double bonds and as a consequence may exist asstereoisomers, such as double-bond isomers (i.e., geometric isomers),enantiomers and diasteromers and mixtures thereof, such as racemicmixtures. As another example, the prodrugs may exist in severaltautomeric forms, including the enol form, the keto form and mixturesthereof. As the various compound names, formulae and drawings within thespecification and claims can represent only one of the possibletautomeric, conformational isomeric, optical isomeric or geometricisomeric forms, it should be understood that the invention encompassesany tautomeric, conformational isomeric, optical isomeric and/orgeometric isomeric forms of the prodrugs having one or more of theutilities described herein, as well as mixtures of these variousdifferent isomeric forms. In cases of limited rotation around the2,4-pryimidinediamine moiety, atrop isomers are also possible and arealso specifically included in the compounds of the invention.

Moreover, skilled artisans will appreciate that when lists ofalternative substituents include members which, owing to valencyrequirements or other reasons, cannot be used to substitute a particulargroup, the list is intended to be read in context to include thosemembers of the list that are suitable for substituting the particulargroup. For example, skilled artisans will appreciate that while all ofthe listed alternatives for R^(b) can be used to substitute an alkylgroup, certain of the alternatives, such as ═O, cannot be used tosubstitute a phenyl group. It is to be understood that only possiblecombinations of substituent-group pairs are intended.

The prodrugs described herein may be identified by either their chemicalstructure or their chemical name. When the chemical structure and thechemical name conflict, the chemical structure is determinative of theidentity of the specific prodrug.

Depending upon the nature of the various substituents, the prodrugsdescribed herein may be in the form of salts. Such salts include saltssuitable for pharmaceutical uses (“pharmaceutically-acceptable salts”),salts suitable for veterinary uses, etc. Such salts may be derived fromacids or bases, as is well-known in the art.

In one embodiment, the salt is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.Generally, pharmaceutically acceptable salts are those salts that retainsubstantially one or more of the desired pharmacological activities ofthe parent compound and which are suitable for administration to humans.Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts formedwith inorganic acids or organic acids. Inorganic acids suitable forforming pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include, by wayof example and not limitation, hydrohalide acids (e.g., hydrochloricacid, hydrobromic acid, hydriodic, etc.), sulfuric acid, nitric acid,phosphoric acid, and the like. Organic acids suitable for formingpharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include, by way ofexample and not limitation, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, propionicacid, hexanoic acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, oxalicacid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malicacid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, palmiticacid, benzoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, cinnamic acid,mandelic acid, alkylsulfonic acids (e.g., methanesulfonic acid,ethanesulfonic acid, 1,2-ethane-disulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonicacid, etc.), arylsulfonic acids (e.g., benzenesulfonic acid,4-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid,4-toluenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, etc.),4-methylbicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid, glucoheptonic acid,3-phenylpropionic acid, trimethylacetic acid, tertiary butylacetic acid,lauryl sulfuric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxynaphthoicacid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, muconic acid, and the like.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts also include salts formed when anacidic proton present in the parent compound is either replaced by ametal ion (e.g., an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion or analuminum ion) or coordinates with an organic base (e.g., ethanolamine,diethanolamine, triethanolamine, N-methylglucamine, morpholine,piperidine, dimethylamine, diethylamine, etc.).

The prodrugs described herein, as well as the salts thereof, may also bein the form of hydrates, solvates and N-oxides, as are well-known in theart. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the expression “prodrug”is intended to encompass such salts, hydrates, solvates and/or N-oxides.Specific exemplary salts include, but are not limited to, mono- anddi-sodium salts, mono- and di-potassium salts, mono- and di-lithiumsalts, mono- and di-alkylamino salts, mono-magnesium salts, mono-calciumsalts and ammonium salts.

6.3 Methods of Synthesis

The prodrugs described herein, as well as intermediates therefor, may besynthesized via a variety of different synthetic routes usingcommercially available starting materials and/or starting materialsprepared by conventional synthetic methods. Suitable exemplary methodsthat may be routinely used and/or adapted to synthesize active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,935,U.S. application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003(US2004/0029902A1), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022filed Jan. 31, 2003 (WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029filed Jul. 29, 2003 (______), international application Serial No.PCT/US03/24087 (WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263filed Jul. 30, 2004 (US2005/0234049), and international applicationSerial No. PCT/US2004/24716 (______), the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference. These active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompounds can be used as starting materials to synthesize the prodrugs.Specific examples describing the synthesis of phosphate prodrug Compound4, as well as a synthetic intermediate therefor, are provided in theExamples section. All of the prodrugs described herein may besynthesized by routine adaptation of this method.

For example, some embodiments of prodrugs according to structuralformula (I) and/or (Ia) can be prepared by reacting the correspondingactive 2,4-pyrimidinediamine (i.e., compounds according to structuralformulae (I) and/or (Ia) in which each R^(p) is hydrogen) with analdehyde or a ketone to give an α-hydroxymethyl amine, which can then bereacted with an electrophile to yield a prodrug. An exemplary synthesisof this type is illustrated in Scheme (I), below:

In Scheme (I), Y¹, Z¹, Z², R², R⁵, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are as definedfor structural formula (I) or (Ia). R³ and R^(d) are as defined in thetext, supra. According to Scheme (I), active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine 10 isreacted with ketone 12 to yield a mixture of four products: unreactedstarting material 10 (not illustrated) and compounds 14a, 14b and 14c.At this stage, the products can be isolated from one another usingstandard chromatographic techniques. Reaction with electropholic R³yields prodrugs 15a, 15b and 15c.

As illustrated above, α-hydroxymethylamines 14a, 14b and 14c can beconverted into a variety of different types of prodrugs 15a, 15b and15c. For example, the α-hydroxymethylamines can be reacted with analcohol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, or a carbon-bearinghalide (e.g., CH₃Br), to yield the corresponding ether derivatives(e.g., compounds in which R³ is R^(f), where R^(f) is as previouslydefined).

Reacting α-hydroxymethylamines 14a, 14b and 14c with a carboxylic acidin the presence of a strong acid catalyst or a carboxylic acid anhydrideor a carboxylic acid halide (e.g. with an appropriate acid scavenger)yields the corresponding ester derivatives (e.g., compounds in which R³is —C(O)R^(f), where R^(f) is as defined above).

Reaction of α-hydroxymethylamines 14a, 14b and 14c with a haloformateester (e.g., Cl—C(O)OCH₃) yields the corresponding carbonate derivatives(e.g., compounds in which R³ is —C(O)OR^(f), where R^(f) is aspreviously defined).

Reaction of α-hydroxymethylamines 14a, 14b and 14c with a haloformamide(e.g., Cl—C(O)N(CH₃)₂) yields the corresponding carbamate or urethanederivatives (e.g., compounds in which R³ is —C(O)NR^(f)R^(f), whereR^(f) is as previously defined).

As will be recognized by skilled artisans, other hydroxyl protectinggroups could also be used, including, for example, the various differenthydroxyl protecting groups described in Green & Wuts, “Protective Groupsin Organic Chemistry,” 2d Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp.10-142, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, prodrugs according to structural formulae (I) and (Ia)can be synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of the correspondingphosphate esters. An example of this synthetic route is illustrated inScheme (II), below:

According to Scheme (II), active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine 10 is reactedwith di-tert-butyl chloromethylphosphate 13 in the presence of cesiumcarbonate to yield a mixture of four products: unreacted startingmaterial 10 (not illustrated) and phosphate esters 17a, 17b and 17c,which are themselves prodrugs as described herein. When R² is3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl phosphate ester 17a is the major product.Reaction of this phosphate ester 17a with R³-AH (where A is O, S, orNR⁵⁰), yields prodrug 19. The minor phosphate esters 17b and 17c can besimilarly reacted to yield the corresponding prodrugs.

Di-tert-butyl chloromethyl phosphate 13 can be prepared fromdi-tert-butyl phosphate as illustrated in Scheme (III), below:

According to Scheme (III), di-tert-butyl phosphate 9 is obtained fromthe corresponding di-tert-butyl phosphite 7 as described in Krise etal., 1990, J. Med. Chem. 42:3793-3794. Reaction of phosphate 9 withchloromethyl chlorosulfate 11 (available from Synergetica, Inc.,Sicklerville, N.J. 08081) as described in Mantyla et al., 2002, Tet.Lett. 43:3793-3794 yields di-tert-butyl chloromethyl phosphate 13, whichcan be used in Scheme (II), above, crude without purification.

Although the Schemes illustrated above depict the synthesis of prodrugsthat include a single progroup, prodrugs having a plurality of progroupscould be obtained by adjusting the number of equivalents of reagent 12or 13 used.

As another alternative to Scheme (I), hydroxymethylamine 14a can beprepared in a two-step process by first reacting active2,4-pyrimidinediamine 10 with a bis functional electrophile, such as,for example, chloro-iodomethane (I—CH₂Cl), to yield a chloro-methylintermediate, which can then be hydroxylated by reaction with basichydroxide or reacted with various nucleophilic reagents such asalkoxides, amines or sulfide to make R^(p). Specific conditions forcarrying out reactions of this type that can be used to synthesize theprodrugs described herein, for example, in Bansal et al., 1981, J.Pharm. Sci. 70(8):850-854 and Bansal et al., 1981, J. Pharm. Sci.70(8):855-857, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

An exemplary synthetic route that can be used to synthesize an exemplaryphosphate prodrug 16 according to structural formula (Ia) is illustratedin Scheme (IV), below. This method may be routinely adapted tosynthesize the full range of phosphate prodrugs described herein.

In Scheme (IV), Y¹, Z¹, Z², R², R⁵, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are as definedfor structural formula (I) or (Ia). According to Scheme (IV), active2,4-pyrimidinediamine 10 is reacted with di-tert-butylchloromethylphosphate 13 in the presence of cesium carbonate to yield amixture of four products: unreacted starting material 10 (notillustrated) and compounds 17a, 17b and 17c. When R² is3,4,5-trimethyoxyphenyl, compound 17a is the major product. At thisstage, the major product can be isolated from the minor products usingstandard chromatographic techniques. Removal of the tert-butyl groupsyields a mixture of desired product 16 and impurities 18 and 10. Thedesired product 16 can be isolated using standard techniques.

An alternative method of obtaining phosphate prodrug 16 is illustratedin Scheme (V); below.

According to Scheme (V), the reaction of active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine 10again yields a mixture of four products: unreacted pyrimidinediamine 10(not illustrated) major product 17a and minor products 17b and 17c.Major product 17a can be isolated via crystallization (see the Examplessection for suitable conditions), dissolved in a mixture of acetic acidand water (4:1 AcOH:H₂O) and heated to 65° C. for approximately 3 hr toyield phosphate prodrug 16 as the major product.

Although Schemes (IV) and (V) illustrate the synthesis of a phosphateprodrug in which the phosphate progroup is —CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂, skilledartisans will appreciate that phosphate prodrugs including otherphosphate progroups could be readily obtained according to the samemethods by using the appropriate reagent 13. Phosphate ester prodrugs,phosphite prodrugs and phosphite ester prodrugs can also be synthesizedvia routine adaptation of the methods using the appropriate phosphateester, phosphite and phosphite ester halides 13. Exemplary methods forsynthesizing cyclic phosphate ester prodrugs, which can be used asprodrugs in the various methods described herein, or converted intophosphate prodrugs, are illustrated in FIG. 3. Moreover, while Schemes(I) and (III) depict compound 16 as being the desired product, prodrugshaving progroups at other positions within the prodrug molecule could bereadily obtained by isolating, for example minor product 17a or 17band/or by adjusting the number of equivalents of reagent 13 used.

Referring to FIG. 3, diols 21 are converted to the corresponding cyclicphosphates 23 using literature procedures as depicted. Cyclic phosphates23 are converted to the corresponding chloromethyl phosphate esters 25in any of the three ways depicted. Compound 1 is converted to cyclicphosphate ester derivatives 27, 29, and 31, via addition of 25 underconditions as previously described for the synthesis of compounds 17a-c.Cyclic phosphate ester derivatives 27, 29, and 31, are converted to thecorresponding phosphate derivatives via treatment under acidicconditions as described for the synthesis of compound 16, or viahydrogenation using, for example, palladium catalyst.

Skilled artisans will recognize that in some instances, the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds used as starting materials may includefunctional groups that require protection during synthesis. The exactidentity of any protecting group(s) used will depend upon the identityof the functional group being protected, and will be apparent to theseof skill in the art. Guidance for selecting appropriate protectinggroups, as well as synthetic strategies for their attachment andremoval, may be found, for example, in Greene & Wuts, Protective Groupsin Organic Synthesis, 3d Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York(1999) and the references cited therein (hereinafter “Greene & Wuts”).

6.4 Inhibition of Fc Receptor Signal Cascades

Many of the prodrugs described herein, and in particular the prodrugsaccording to structural formulae (I) and (Ia), metabolize to active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit Fc receptor signalingcascades that lead to, among other things, degranulation of cells. As aspecific example, these active compounds inhibit the FcεRI and/or FcγRIsignal cascades that lead to degranulation of immune cells such asneutrophil, eosinophil, mast and/or basophil cells. Both mast andbasophil cells play a central role in allergen-induced disorders,including, for example, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Upon exposureallergens, which may be, among other things, pollen or parasites,allergen-specific IgE antibodies are synthesized by B-cells activated byIL-4 (or IL-13) and other messengers to switch to IgE class specificantibody synthesis. These allergen-specific IgEs bind to the highaffinity FcεRI. Upon binding of antigen, the FcεR1-bound IgEs arecross-linked and the IgE receptor signal transduction pathway isactivated, which leads to degranulation of the cells and consequentrelease and/or synthesis of a host of chemical mediators, includinghistamine, proteases (e.g., tryptase and chymase), lipid mediators suchas leukotrienes (e.g., LTC4), platelet-activating factor (PAF) andprostaglandins (e.g., PGD2) and a series of cytokines, including TNF-α,IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, GMCSF, VEGF and TGF-β. The release and/orsynthesis of these mediators from mast and/or basophil cells accountsfor the early and late stage responses induced by allergens, and isdirectly linked to downstream events that lead to a sustainedinflammatory state.

The molecular events in the FcεRI signal transduction pathway that leadto release of preformed mediators via degranulation and release and/orsynthesis of other chemical mediators are well-known. The FcεRI is aheterotetrameric receptor composed of an IgE-binding alpha-subunit, abeta subunit, and two gamma subunits (gamma homodimer). Cross-linking ofFcεRI-bound IgE by multivalent binding agents (including, for exampleIgE-specific allergens or anti-IgE antibodies or fragments) induces therapid association and activation of the Src-related kinase Lyn. Lynphosphorylates immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMS)on the intracellular beta and gamma subunits, which leads to therecruitment of additional Lyn to the beta subunit and Syk kinase to thegamma homodimer. These receptor-associated kinases, which are activatedby intra- and intermolecular phosphorylation, phosphorylate othercomponents of the pathway, such as the Btk kinase, LAT, andphospholipase C-gamma PLC-gamma). Activated PLC-gamma initiates pathwaysthat lead to protein kinase C activation and Ca²⁺ mobilization, both ofwhich are required for degranulation. FcεR1 cross-linking also activatesthe three major classes of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases, i.e.ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38. Activation of these pathways is important inthe transcriptional regulation of proinflammatory mediators, such asTNF-α and IL-6, as well as the lipid mediator leukotriene C4 (LTC4).

The FcγRI signaling cascade is believed to share some common elementswith the FcεRI signaling cascade. Importantly, like FcεRI, the FcγRIincludes a gamma homodimer that is phosphorylated and recruits Syk, andlike FcεRI, activation of the FcγRI signaling cascade leads to, amongother things, degranulation. Other Fc receptors that share the gammahomodimer, and which can be regulated by the active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds include, but are not limited to, FcαRIand FcγRIII.

In vitro and cellular assays suitable for confirming the activity of aparticular 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound are described in detail inU.S. application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003(US2004/0029902A1), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022filed Jan. 31, 2003 (WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029filed Jul. 29, 2003 (______), international application Serial No.PCT/US03/24087 (WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263filed Jul. 30, 2004 (US2005/0234049), and international applicationSerial No. PCT/US2004/24716 (______).

The ability of a particular prodrug to metabolize to an active2,4-pyrimidinediamine compound under the desired conditions of use canbe confirmed in in vitro and/or in vivo assays, as previously described.

6.5 Uses and Compositions

As previously discussed, the prodrugs described herein, such as theprodrugs according to structural formulae (I) and (Ia) metabolize whenadministered to animals and humans into active compounds that inhibit Fcreceptor signaling cascades, especially those Fc receptors including agamma homodimer, such as the FcεRI and/or FcγRI signaling cascades, thatlead to, among other things, the release and/or synthesis of chemicalmediators from cells, either via degranulation or other processes. Asalso discussed, the active compounds are also potent inhibitors of Sykkinase. As a consequence of these activities, prodrugs of these activecompounds may be used in a variety of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivocontexts to regulate or inhibit Syk kinase, signaling cascades in whichSyk kinase plays a role, Fc receptor signaling cascades, and thebiological responses effected by such signaling cascades. For example,in one embodiment, the prodrugs may be used to inhibit Syk kinase,either in vitro or in vivo, in virtually any cell type expressing Sykkinase. They may also be used to regulate signal transduction cascadesin which Syk kinase plays a role. Such Syk-dependent signal transductioncascades include, but are not limited to, the FcεRI, FcγRI, FcγRIII, BCRand integrin signal transduction cascades. The prodrugs may also be usedin vitro or in vivo to regulate, and in particular inhibit, cellular orbiological responses effected by such Syk-dependent signal transductioncascades. Such cellular or biological responses include, but are notlimited to, respiratory burst, cellular adhesion, cellulardegranulation, cell spreading, cell migration, cell aggregation,phagocytosis, cytokine synthesis and release, cell maturation and Ca²⁺flux. Importantly, the prodrugs may be used to inhibit Syk kinase invivo as a therapeutic approach towards the treatment or prevention ofdiseases mediated, either wholly or in part, by a Syk kinase activity.Non-limiting examples of Syk kinase mediated diseases that may betreated or prevented with the prodrugs are those discussed in moredetail, below.

In another embodiment, the prodrugs may be used to regulate or inhibitthe Fc receptor signaling cascades and/or FcεRI- and/or FcγRI-mediateddegranulation as a therapeutic approach towards the treatment orprevention of diseases characterized by, caused by and/or associatedwith the release or synthesis of chemical mediators of such Fc receptorsignaling cascades or degranulation. Such treatments may be administeredto animals in veterinary contexts or to humans. Diseases that arecharacterized by, caused by or associated with such mediator release,synthesis or degranulation, and that can therefore be treated orprevented with the active compounds include, by way of example and notlimitation, atopy or anaphylactic hypersensitivity or allergicreactions, allergies (e.g., allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis,atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergies), low grade scarring(e.g., of scleroderma, increased fibrosis, keloids, post-surgical scars,pulmonary fibrosis, vascular spasms, migraine, reperfusion injury andpost myocardial infarction), diseases associated with tissue destruction(e.g., of COPD, cardiobronchitis and post myocardial infarction),diseases associated with tissue inflammation (e.g., irritable bowelsyndrome, spastic colon and inflammatory bowel disease), inflammationand scarring.

Recent studies have shown that activation of platelets by collagen ismediated through the same pathway used by immune receptors, with animmunoreceptor tyronsine kinase motif on the FcRγ playing a pivotal role(Watson & Gibbons, 1998, Immunol. Today 19:260-264), and also that FcRγplays a pivotal role in the generation of neointimal hyperplasiafollowing balloon injury in mice, most likely through collagen-inducedactivation of platelets and leukocyte recruitment (Konishi et al., 2002,Circulation 105:912-916). Thus, the prodrugs described herein can alsobe used to inhibit collagen-induced platelet activation and to treat orprevent diseases associated with or caused by such platelet activation,such as, for example, intimal hyperplasia and restenosis followingvascular injury.

In addition to the myriad diseases discussed above, cellular and animalempirical data confirm that the active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compoundsdescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003(______), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/24087(WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263 filed Jul. 30,2004 (US2005/0234049), and international application Serial No.PCT/US2004/24716 (______) are also useful for the treatment orprevention of autoimmune diseases, as well as the various symptomsassociated with such diseases. Thus, prodrugs of these active compoundsare useful for treating or preventing such diseases and/or symptoms. Thetypes of autoimmune diseases that may be treated or prevented with suchprodrugs generally include those disorders involving tissue injury thatoccurs as a result of a humoral and/or cell-mediated response toimmunogens or antigens of endogenous and/or exogenous origin. Suchdiseases are frequently referred to as diseases involving thenonanaphylactic (i.e., Type II, Type III and/or Type IV)hypersensitivity reactions.

As discussed previously, Type I hypersensitivity reactions generallyresult from the release of pharmacologically active substances, such ashistamine, from mast and/or basophil cells following contact with aspecific exogenous antigen. As mentioned above, such Type I reactionsplay a role in numerous diseases, including allergic asthma, allergicrhinitis, etc.

Type II hypersensitivity reactions (also referred to as cytotoxic,cytolytic complement-dependent or cell-stimulating hypersensitivityreactions) result when immunoglobulins react with antigenic componentsof cells or tissue, or with an antigen or hapten that has becomeintimately coupled to cells or tissue. Diseases that are commonlyassociated with Type II hypersensitivity reactions include, but are notlimited, to autoimmune hemolytic anemia, erythroblastosis fetalis andGoodpasture's disease.

Type III hypersensitivity reactions, (also referred to as toxic complex,soluble complex, or immune complex hypersensitivity reactions) resultfrom the deposition of soluble circulating antigen-immunoglobulincomplexes in vessels or in tissues, with accompanying acute inflammatoryreactions at the site of immune complex deposition. Non-limitingexamples of prototypical Type III reaction diseases include the Arthusreaction, rheumatoid arthritis, serum sickness, systemic lupuserythematosis, certain types of glomerulonephritis, multiple sclerosisand bullous pemphingoid.

Type IV hypersensitivity reactions (frequently called cellular,cell-mediated, delayed, or tuberculin-type hypersensitivity reactions)are caused by sensitized T-lymphocytes which result from contact with aspecific antigen. Non-limiting examples of diseases cited as involvingType IV reactions are contact dermatitis and allograft rejection.

Autoimmune diseases associated with any of the above nonanaphylactichypersensitivity reactions may be treated or prevented with the prodrugsaccording to structural formulae (I) and (Ia). In particular, themethods may be used to treat or prevent those autoimmune diseasesfrequently characterized as single organ or single cell-type autoimmunedisorders including, but not limited to: Hashimoto's thyroiditis,autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune atrophic gastritis of perniciousanemia, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, autoimmune orchitis, Goodpasture'sdisease, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, sympathetic ophthalmia, myastheniagravis, Graves' disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic aggressivehepatitis, ulcerative colitis and membranous glomerulopathy, as well asthose autoimmune diseases frequently characterized as involving systemicautoimmune disorder, which include but are not limited to: systemiclupus erythematosis (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome,Reiter's syndrome, polymyositis-dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis,polyarteritis nodosa, multiple sclerosis and bullous pemphigoid.

It will be appreciated by skilled artisans that many of the above-listedautoimmune diseases are associated with severe symptoms, theamelioration of which provides significant therapeutic benefit even ininstances where the underlying autoimmune disease may not beameliorated. Many of these symptoms, as well as their underlying diseasestates, result as a consequence of activating the FcγR signaling cascadein monocyte cells. As the prodrugs of structural formulae (I) and (Ia)metabolize to 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that are potent inhibitorsof such FcγR signaling in monocytes and other cells, the methods finduse in the treatment and/or prevention of myriad adverse symptomsassociated with the above-listed autoimmune diseases.

As a specific example, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically results inswelling, pain, loss of motion and tenderness of target jointsthroughout the body. RA is characterized by chronically inflamedsynovium that is densely crowded with lymphocytes. The synovialmembrane, which is typically one cell layer thick, becomes intenselycellular and assumes a form similar to lymphoid tissue, includingdendritic cells, T-, B- and NK cells, macrophages and clusters of plasmacells. This process, as well as a plethora of immunopathologicalmechanisms including the formation of antigen-immunoglobulin complexes,eventually result in destruction of the integrity of the joint,resulting in deformity, permanent loss of function and/or bone erosionat or near the joint. The methods may be used to treat or ameliorate anyone, several or all of these symptoms of RA. Thus, in the context of RA,the methods are considered to provide therapeutic benefit (discussedmore generally, infra) when a reduction or amelioration of any of thesymptoms commonly associated with RA is achieved, regardless of whetherthe treatment results in a concomitant treatment of the underlying RAand/or a reduction in the amount of circulating rheumatoid factor(“RF”).

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed criteria fordefining improvement and clinical remission in RA. Once such parameter,the ACR20 (ACR criteria for 20% clinical improvement), requires a 20%improvement in the tender and swollen joint count, as well as a 20%improvement in 3 of the following 5 parameters: patient's globalassessment, physician's global assessment, patient's assessment of pain,degree of disability, and level of acute phase reactant. These criteriahave been expanded for 50% and 70% improvement in ACR50 and ACR70,respectively. Other criteria includes Paulu's criteria and radiographicprogression (e.g. Sharp score).

In some embodiments, therapeutic benefit in patients suffering from RAis achieved when the patient exhibits an ARC20. In specific embodiments,ARCs of ARC50 or even ARC70 may be achieved.

Systemic lupus erythematosis (“SLE”) is typically associated withsymptoms such as fever, joint pain (arthralgias), arthritis, andserositis (pleurisy or pericarditis). In the context of SLE, the methodsare considered to provide therapeutic benefit when a reduction oramelioration of any of the symptoms commonly associated with SLE areachieved, regardless of whether the treatment results in a concomitanttreatment of the underlying SLE.

Multiple sclerosis (“MS”) cripples the patient by disturbing visualacuity; stimulating double vision; disturbing motor functions affectingwalking and use of the hands; producing bowel and bladder incontinence;spasticity; and sensory deficits (touch, pain and temperaturesensitivity). In the context of MS, the methods are considered toprovide therapeutic benefit when an improvement or a reduction in theprogression of any one or more of the crippling effects commonlyassociated with MS is achieved, regardless of whether the treatmentresults in a concomitant treatment of the underlying MS.

When used to treat or prevent such diseases, the prodrugs describedherein may be administered singly, as mixtures of one or more prodrugsor in mixture or combination with other agents useful for treating suchdiseases and/or the symptoms associated with such diseases. The prodrugsmay also be administered in mixture or in combination with agents usefulto treat other disorders or maladies, such as steroids, membranestabilizers, 5LO inhibitors, leukotriene synthesis and receptorinhibitors, inhibitors of IgE isotype switching or IgE synthesis, IgGisotype switching or IgG synthesis, β-agonists, tryptase inhibitors,aspirin, COX inhibitors, methotrexate, anti-TNF drugs, retuxin, PD4inhibitors, p38 inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, and antihistamines, to namea few. The prodrugs may be administered in the form of compounds per se,or as pharmaceutical compositions comprising a prodrug.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrug(s) may bemanufactured by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating,dragee-making levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping orlyophilization processes. The compositions may be formulated inconventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptablecarriers, diluents, excipients or auxiliaries which facilitateprocessing of the prodrugs into preparations which can be usedpharmaceutically.

The prodrug may be formulated in the pharmaceutical composition per se,or in the form of a hydrate, solvate, N-oxide or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, as previously described. Typically, such salts are moresoluble in aqueous solutions than the corresponding free acids andbases, but salts having lower solubility than the corresponding freeacids and bases may also be formed.

Pharmaceutical compositions may take a form suitable for virtually anymode of administration, including, for example, topical, ocular, oral,buccal, systemic, nasal, injection, transdermal, rectal, vaginal, etc.,or a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation.

For topical administration, the prodrug(s) may be formulated assolutions, gels, ointments, creams, suspensions, etc. as are well-knownin the art.

Systemic formulations include those designed for administration byinjection, e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intrathecalor intraperitoneal injection, as well as those designed for transdermal,transmucosal oral or pulmonary administration.

Useful injectable preparations include sterile suspensions, solutions oremulsions of the active compound(s) in aqueous or oily vehicles. Thecompositions may also contain formulating agents, such as suspending,stabilizing and/or dispersing agent. The formulations for injection maybe presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampules or in multidosecontainers, and may contain added preservatives.

Alternatively, the injectable formulation may be provided in powder formfor reconstitution with a suitable vehicle, including but not limited tosterile pyrogen free water, buffer, dextrose solution, etc., before use.To this end, the active compound(s) may be dried by any art-knowntechnique, such as lyophilization, and reconstituted prior to use.

For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrierto be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are knownin the art.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions may take theform of, for example, lozenges, tablets or capsules prepared byconventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such asbinding agents (e.g., pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidoneor hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose,microcrystalline cellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants(e.g., magnesium stearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potatostarch or sodium starch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodiumlauryl sulfate). The tablets may be coated by methods well known in theart with, for example, sugars, films or enteric coatings. Phosphateprodrugs in which the progroup(s) is of the formula—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)₂, where each R^(d) is, independently ofthe others, selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl and y is 1 or 2 andthat exhibit a water-solubility in the range of about 0.1 to 1000 mg/mlat physiological pH are especially suited for oral administration viatablets and capsules. When administered t Sprague-Dawley rats orallyfrom capsules, prodrug Compound 4 exhibits a bioavailability of drugCompound 1 of about 30% (see FIG. 5), with absorption being nearlyidentical to that of active drug Compound 1 (see FIG. 6). Otherphosphate prodrugs having water-solubility properties similar to thoseof prodrug Compound 4 are expected to exhibit similar pharmacokineticproperties.

A specific exemplary tablet formulation for prodrug Compound 4 (as wellas other phosphate-containing prodrugs) contains about 50-400 mg prodrugcompound (or a salt thereof), about 0.05 to 0.5 wt % colloidal silicondioxide, about 0.5 to 5.0 wt % croscarmellose sodium, about 0.25 to 5.0wt % magnesium stearate and about 20 to 80 wt % microcrystallinecellulose. If desired, the tablets can be coated with a film, such as ahypromellose film carboxymethyl cellulose or fructose, which canoptionally contain coloring agents, such as for example FD&C blue #1,PD&C green #3, FD&C yellow #6 and titanium dioxide.

Liquid preparations for oral administration may take the form of, forexample, elixirs, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may bepresented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitablevehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared byconventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such assuspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives orhydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin oracacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethylalcohol, cremophore™ or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives(e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid). Thepreparations may also contain buffer salts, preservatives, flavoring,coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

Preparations for oral administration may be suitably formulated to givecontrolled release of the prodrug, as is well known.

For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tabletsor lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For rectal and vaginal routes of administration, the prodrug(s) may beformulated as solutions (for retention enemas) suppositories orointments containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butteror other glycerides.

For nasal administration or administration by inhalation orinsufflation, the prodrug(s) can be conveniently delivered in the formof an aerosol spray from pressurized packs or a nebulizer with the useof a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane,trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, fluorocarbons, carbondioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, thedosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a meteredamount. Capsules and cartridges for use in an inhaler or insufflator(for example capsules and cartridges comprised of gelatin) may beformulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powderbase such as lactose or starch.

For ocular administration, the prodrug(s) may be formulated as asolution, emulsion, suspension, etc. suitable for administration to theeye. A variety of vehicles suitable for administering compounds to theeye are known in the art. Specific non-limiting examples are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,547; U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,934; U.S. Pat. No.6,056,950; U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,807; U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,445; U.S. Pat.No. 5,698,219; U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,222; U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,841; U.S.Pat. No. 5,077,033; U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,150; and U.S. Pat. No.4,738,851.

For prolonged delivery, the prodrug(s) can be formulated as a depotpreparation for administration by implantation or intramuscularinjection. The prodrug(s) may be formulated with suitable polymeric orhydrophobic materials (e.g., as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ionexchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, e.g., as asparingly soluble salt. Alternatively, transdermal delivery systemsmanufactured as an adhesive disc or patch which slowly releases theprodrug(s) for percutaneous absorption may be used. To this end,permeation enhancers may be used to facilitate transdermal penetrationof the prodrug(s). Suitable transdermal patches are described in forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,713; U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,456; U.S. Pat. No.5,332,213; U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,168; U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,561; U.S. Pat.No. 5,254,346; U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,189; U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,899; U.S.Pat. No. 5,088,977; U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,240; U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,110;and U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,475.

Alternatively, other pharmaceutical delivery systems may be employed.Liposomes and emulsions are well-known examples of delivery vehiclesthat may be used to deliver prodrug(s). Certain organic solvents such asdimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) may also be employed, although usually at thecost of greater toxicity.

The pharmaceutical compositions may, if desired, be presented in a packor dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage formscontaining the prodrug(s). The pack may, for example, comprise metal orplastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device maybe accompanied by instructions for administration.

6.6 Effective Dosages

The prodrug(s) described herein, or compositions thereof, will generallybe used in an amount effective to achieve the intended result, forexample in an amount effective to treat or prevent the particulardisease being treated. The prodrug(s) may be administeredtherapeutically to achieve therapeutic benefit or prophylactically toachieve prophylactic benefit. By therapeutic benefit is meanteradication or amelioration of the underlying disorder being treatedand/or eradication or amelioration of one or more of the symptomsassociated with the underlying disorder such that the patient reports animprovement in feeling or condition, notwithstanding that the patientmay still be afflicted with the underlying disorder. For example,administration of a compound to a patient suffering from an allergyprovides therapeutic benefit not only when the underlying allergicresponse is eradicated or ameliorated, but also when the patient reportsa decrease in the severity or duration of the symptoms associated withthe allergy following exposure to the allergen. As another example,therapeutic benefit in the context of asthma includes an improvement inrespiration following the onset of an asthmatic attack, or a reductionin the frequency or severity of asthmatic episodes. Therapeutic benefitin the context of RA also includes the ACR20, or ACR50 or ACR70, aspreviously described. Therapeutic benefit also generally includeshalting or slowing the progression of the disease, regardless of whetherimprovement is realized.

For prophylactic administration, the prodrug(s) may be administered to apatient at risk of developing one of the previously described diseases.For example, if it is unknown whether a patient is allergic to aparticular drug, the prodrug(s) may be administered prior toadministration of the drug to avoid or ameliorate an allergic responseto the drug. Alternatively, prophylactic administration may be appliedto avoid the onset of symptoms in a patient diagnosed with theunderlying disorder. For example, the prodrug(s) may be administered toan allergy sufferer prior to expected exposure to the allergen.Prodrug(s) may also be administered prophylactically to healthyindividuals who are repeatedly exposed to agents known to one of theabove-described maladies to prevent the onset of the disorder. Forexample, prodrug(s) may be administered to a healthy individual who isrepeatedly exposed to an allergen known to induce allergies, such aslatex, in an effort to prevent the individual from developing anallergy. Alternatively, prodrug(s) may be administered to a patientsuffering from asthma prior to partaking in activities which triggerasthma attacks to lessen the severity of, or avoid altogether, anasthmatic episode.

The amount of prodrug(s) administered will depend upon a variety offactors, including, for example, the particular indication beingtreated, the mode of administration, whether the desired benefit isprophylactic or therapeutic, the severity of the indication beingtreated and the age and weight of the patient, the bioavailability ofthe particular prodrug(s) the conversation rate and efficiency intoactive drug compound under the selected route of administration, etc.Determination of an effective dosage of prodrug(s) for a particular useand mode of administration is well within the capabilities of thoseskilled in the art.

Effective dosages may be estimated initially from in vitro activity andmetabolism assays. For example, an initial dosage of prodrug for use inanimals may be formulated to achieve a circulating blood or serumconcentration of the metabolite active compound that is at or above anIC₅₀ of the particular compound as measured in as in vitro assay, suchas the in vitro CHMC or BMMC and other in vitro assays described in U.S.application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003 (US2004/0029902A1),international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022 filed Jan. 31, 2003(WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003(______), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/24087(WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263 filed Jul. 30,2004 (US2005/0234049), and international application Serial No.PCT/US2004/24716 (______). Calculating dosages to achieve suchcirculating blood or serum concentrations taking into account thebioavailability of the particular prodrug via the desired route ofadministration is well within the capabilities of skilled artisans. Forguidance, the reader is referred to Fingl & Woodbury, “GeneralPrinciples,” In: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmaceutical Basis ofTherapeutics, Chapter 1, pp. 1-46, latest edition, Pagamonon Press, andthe references cited therein.

Initial dosages of prodrug can also be estimated from in vivo data, suchas animal models. Animal models useful for testing the efficacy of theactive metabolites to treat or prevent the various diseases describedabove are well-known in the art. Suitable animal models ofhypersensitivity or allergic reactions are described in Foster, 1995,Allergy 50(21Suppl):6-9, discussion 34-38 and Tumas et al., 2001, J.Allergy Clin. Immunol. 107(6): 1025-1033. Suitable animal models ofallergic rhinitis are described in Szelenyi et al., 2000,Arzneimittelforschung 50(11):1037-42; Kawaguchi et al., 1994, Clin. Exp.Allergy 24(3):238-244 and Sugimoto et al., 2000, Immunopharmacology48(1):1-7. Suitable animal models of allergic conjunctivitis aredescribed in Carreras et al., 1993, Br. J. Opthalmol. 77(8):509-514;Saiga et al., 1992, Ophthalmic Res. 24(1):45-50; and Kunert et al.,2001, Invest. Opthalmol. Vis. Sci. 42(11):2483-2489. Suitable animalmodels of systemic mastocytosis are described in O'Keefe et al., 1987,J. Vet. Intem. Med. 1(2):75-80 and Bean-Knudsen et al., 1989, Vet.Pathol. 26(1):90-92. Suitable animal models of hyper IgE syndrome aredescribed in Claman et al., 1990, Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol.56(1):46-53. Suitable animal models of B-cell lymphoma are described inHough et al., 1998, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:13853-13858 and Hakimet al., 1996, J. Immunol. 157(12):5503-5511. Suitable animal models ofatopic disorders such as atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema and atopicasthma are described in Chan et al., 2001, J. Invest. Dermatol.117(4):977-983 and Suto et al., 1999, Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol.120(Suppl 1):70-75. Animal models suitable for testing thebioavailability and/or metabolism of prodrugs into active metabolitesare also well-known. Ordinarily skilled artisans can routinely adaptsuch information to determine dosages of particular prodrugs suitablefor human administration. Additional suitable animal models aredescribed in the Examples section.

Dosage amounts will typically be in the range of from about 0.0001mg/kg/day, 0.001 mg/kg/day or 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 100 mg/kg/day, butmay be higher or lower, depending upon, among other factors, theactivity of the active metabolite compound, the bioavailability of theprodrug, its metabolism kinetics and other pharmacokinetic properties,the mode of administration and various other factors, discussed above.Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provideplasma levels of the prodrug(s) and/or active metabolite compound(s)which are sufficient to maintain therapeutic or prophylactic effect. Forexample, the prodrugs may be administered once per week, several timesper week (e.g., every other day), once per day or multiple times perday, depending upon, among other things, the mode of administration, thespecific indication being treated and the judgment of the prescribingphysician. In cases of local administration or selective uptake, such aslocal topical administration, the effective local concentration ofprodrug(s) and/or active metabolite compound(s) may not be related toplasma concentration. Skilled artisans will be able to optimizeeffective local dosages without undue experimentation.

Preferably, the prodrugs will metabolize into active compound(s) thatwill provide therapeutic or prophylactic benefit without causingsubstantial toxicity. Toxicity of the active and other metabolites, aswell as the unmetabolized prodrug may be determined using standardpharmaceutical procedures. The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic(or prophylactic) effect is the therapeutic index. Prodrug(s) thatexhibit high therapeutic indices are preferred.

The inventions having been described, the following examples are offeredby way of illustration and not limitation.

7. EXAMPLES 7.1 Synthesis of Prodrug Compound 4 7.1.1N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 3)

N4-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-4H-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(1, 1.0 g, 2.12 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (1.0 g, 3.07 mmol) and di-tert-butylchloromethyl phosphate (2, 0.67 g, 2.59 mmol) in acetone (20 mL) wasstirred at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. Progress of thereaction was monitored by LC/MS. Crude reaction mixture displayed threeproduct peaks with close retention times with M⁺+H 693 (minor-1), 693(major; 3) and 477 (minor-2) besides starting material (Compound 1).Upon stirring the contents for 4 days (70% consumption), the reactionmixture was concentrated and diluted with water. The resultant paleyellow precipitate formed was collected by filtration and dried. Thecrude solid was purified by silica gel (pretreated with 10% NEt₃/CH₂Cl₂followed by eluting with hexanes) column chromatography by gradientelution with 70% EtOAc/hexanes-100% EtOAc). The fractions containingCompound 1 and M⁺+H 693 were collected and concentrated. The resultingcrude white solid was subjected to repurification in the similar manneras described previously but by eluting with 30%-50%-75%-100%EtOAc/hexanes. The major product peak with M⁺+H 693 was collected as awhite solid (270 mg, 18%) and was characterized asN4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 3). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 9.21 (s, 1H), 9.17 (s, 1H), 8.16 (d,1H, J=2.6 Hz), 7.76 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.44 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.02 (s,2H), 5.78 (d, 1H, J³ _(PH)=6.1 Hz), 3.64 (s, 6H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s,6H), 1.33 (s, 9H). LCMS: ret. time: 14.70 min.; purity: 95%; MS (m/e):693 (MH⁺). ³¹P NMR (DMSO-d6): −11.36.

7.1.2 N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 4)

Trifluoroacetic acid (1.5 mL) was added dropwise as a neat for 5 min toN4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 3, 120 mg, 0.173 mmol) dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) at 0° C.under nitrogen atmosphere. The contents were allowed to stir for 1.5 h.Progress of the reaction mixture was monitored by LC/MS. After completeconsumption of the starting material, reaction mixture was concentrated,dried and triturated with ether. The ethereal layer was decanted anddried to provide the crude solid. LC/MS analysis of the crude displayedthree peaks with M⁺+H 581, 471 and 501. The peak corresponding to M⁺+H581 was collected by preparative HPLC chromatographic purification. Thefractions were lyophilised and dried to provide 53 mg (52%) of off whitefluffy solid and characterized as N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 4). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 9.21 (br s, 2H), 8.16 (d, 1H, J=2.6Hz), 7.93 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.39 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.05 (s, 2H), 5.79(d, 1H, J³ _(PH)=6.6 Hz), 3.67 (s, 6H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 1.44 (s, 6H).LCMS: ret. time: 8.52 min.; purity: 95%; MS (m/e): 581 (MH⁺). ³¹P NMR(DMSO-d6): −2.17.

7.2 Alternative Synthesis of Prodrug Compound 4

An alternative method of synthesizing prodrug Compound 4 whichalleviates the need for column chromatography and HPLC purification isprovided below.

7.2.1 Synthesis of N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 3)

N4-(2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-4H-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 1, 19.73 g, 41.97 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (15.04 g, 46.16 mmol) anddi-tert-butyl chloromethyl phosphate (13.0 g, 50.38 mmol) in DMF (100mL) was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. Progressof the reaction was monitored by in process LC % MS. Crude reactionmixture displayed two product peaks (ratio 1:6.5) with close retentiontimes displaying M⁺+H 693 (minor) and 693 (major) besides startingmaterial (Compound 1). Initial yellow reaction mixture turned to olivegreen as the reaction progressed. Workup is carried out as follows

1). Upon stirring the contents for 30 h (92% consumption), reactionmixture was poured onto ice-water (400 mL) and stirred the contents byadding brine solution (200 mL). Fine yellow tan solid formed wasfiltered, washed with water and dried overnight.

2). The solid (35 g) was dissolved in MTBE (500 mL) and washed withwater (400 mL). Aqueous layer was extracted with MTBE (2×350 mL) tillthe absence of UV on TLC. Combined organic layers were dried overanhydrous Na₂SO₄ and decanted.

Note: step 2 can be done directly, however, DMF extraction back intosolution leads to difficulty in the crystallization step.

3). The dark red clear solution was subjected to 10 g of activatedcharcoal treatment, heated to boil and filtered.

4). The dark red clear solution was concentrated by normal heating to400 mL of its volume and left for crystallization. The solidcrystallized as granules was filtered, crushed the granules to powder,washed with MTBE (400 mL) and dried under high vacuum. See step 7 forthe workup of mother liquor. Weight of the solid: 17 g; purity: 90%(Compound 3), 6.26% (Compound 1), 1.8% (minor M+ 693).

5). At this stage solid was taken in 500 ml of ethylether and heated toboil. Cooled and filtered to remove undissolved material. Filtrate wasconcentrated.

6). Above concentrate was subjected to crystallization in MTBE (300 mL).The white solid formed was filtered, washed with MTBE (100 mL) and driedunder high vacuum to provide the desiredN4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 3) in 97% purity. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 9.21 (s, 1H), 9.17 (s,1H), 8.16 (d, 1H, J=2.6 Hz), 7.76 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.44 (d, 1H, J=8.5Hz), 7.02 (s, 2H), 5.78 (d, 1H, J³ _(PH)=6.1 Hz), 3.64 (s, 6H), 3.58 (s,3H), 1.45 (s, 6H), 1.33 (s, 9H). LCMS: ret. time: 14.70 min.; purity:95%; MS (m/e): 693 (MH⁺). ³¹P NMR (DMSO-d6): −11.36. Weight of thesolid: 15.64 g (yield: 55%); purity: 97% (R935787), 3% (Compound 1).

7). Mother liquor was concentrated and steps 5 and 6 were repeated toprovide Compound 3.

7.2.2 Synthesis of N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 4)

N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 3); (15.0 g, 21.67 mmol) dissolved in AcOH:H₂O (225 mL, 4:1)was heated at 65° C. (oil bath temp). The progress of the reaction wasmonitored by in process LC/MS. The reaction mixture transformed to fainttan white solid after 1 h of heating. At this point most of Compound 3converted to mono des t-butyl product. After 3 h of heating, consumptionof SM and complete conversion of intermediate (mono des t-butylated) toproduct was observed.

Reaction mixture was cooled, poured onto ice-water (200 mL), stirred for20 min and filtered. The clear white filter cake was washed with water(600 ml) and acetone (200 mL) successively, dried for 2 h followed bydrying under high vacuum over P₂O₅ in a desiccator. Weight of the solid:12.70 g; purity: 97% (Compound 3) and 3% (Compound 1) ¹H NMR indicatedacetic acid presence (1:1)

To remove acetic acid, the solid was taken in acetonitrile (300 mL) andconcentrated by rotovap vacuum. This process was repeated 2 times withacetonitrile and toluene (3×300 mL). The solid obtained was dried underhigh vacuum at 50° C.

Finally, the solid was taken in acetone (400 mL), filtered and dried toprovide N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 4). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 9.21 (br s, 2H), 8.16 (d, 1H, J=2.6Hz), 7.93 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.39 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.05 (s, 2H), 5.79(d, 1H, J³ _(PH)=6.6 Hz), 3.67 (s, 6H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 1.44 (s, 6H).LCMS: ret. time: 8.52 min.; purity: 95%; MS (m/e): 581 (MH⁺). ³¹P NMR(DMSO-d6): −2.17.

7.3 Synthesis of N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediaminemono calcium salt (Compound 6)

Aqueous (10 mL) NaHCO₃ (0.17 g, 2.02 mmol) solution was added dropwiseto a suspension of N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(0.5 g, 0.86 mmol) in water (5 mL) at room temperature while stirringthe contents. The clear solution formed was treated with aqueous (10 mL)CaCl₂ (0.11 g in 10 mL water, 0.99 mmol) in a dropwise manner at roomtemperature. The addition resulted in the precipitation of a white solidfrom reaction mixture. Upon completion of addition, the contents werestirred for a period of 30 min, filtered, washed with water (40 mL) anddried. The clear white solid was taken in water (30 mL) and heated on astir plate to boil. The solution was cooled, filtered and dried. Thewhite solid collected and further dried under high vacuo at 80° C. for32 h to provide 0.41 g (83%) of N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(dihydrogenphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediaminemono calcium salt (Compound 6).

7.4 Synthesis of Prodrug Compound 8

N4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-[(di-tert-butylphosphonoxy)methyl]-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(prepared as described above) (0.2 g, 0.29 mmol) was added to a mixtureof MeOH(5 mL) and Et₂O (5 mL). 2N aq. NaOH (0.023 g, 0.58 mmol) wasadded at once while stirring the contents at room temperature. Progressof the reaction was monitored by LC/MS. After 8 h of stirring, the solidprecipitated was filtered and dried to provideN4-(2,2-dimethyl-4-methoxymethyl-3-oxo-5-pyrido[1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-5-fluoro-N2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4-pyrimidinediamine(Compound 8) as a white solid (0.11 g, 74%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 9.47(s, 1H), 9.15 (s, 1H), 8.16 (d, 1H, J=3.8 Hz), 7.87 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz),7.37 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 7.03 (s, 2H), 5.40 (s, 2H), 3.66 (s, 6H), 3.59(s, 3H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 1.44 (s, 6H). LCMS: ret. time: 12.88 min.;purity: 92%; MS (m/e): 515 (MH⁺).

7.5 The Active 2,4-Pyrimidinediamine Compounds are Tolerated in Animals

The ability of numerous biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediaminecompounds to exert their activity at doses below those exhibitingtoxicity in animals has been demonstrated previously (see, e.g., U.S.application Ser. No. 10/355,543 filed Jan. 31, 2003 (US2004/0029902A1),international application Serial No. PCT/US03/03022 filed Jan. 31, 2003(WO 03/063794), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/631,029 filed Jul. 29, 2003(______), international application Serial No. PCT/US03/24087(WO2004/014382), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/903,263 filed Jul. 30,2004 (US2005/0234049), and international application Serial No.PCT/US2004/24716 (______).

The safety pharmacology of active Compound 1 has been studied in a corebattery of studies (respiratory, CNS, cardiovascular, and HERG). Aslight reduction in heart rate and increase in RR interval was noted at50 mg/kg in the cardiovascular study and a slight effect on a fewbehavioral parameters at 50 mg/kg was also noted in the CNS (Irwin)study. Otherwise the safety pharmacology studies determined thatCompound 1 was well tolerated. GLP toxicology studies included negativemutagenicity and clastogenicity studies (Ames, chromosomal aberration,and mouse micronucleus). In 28-day toxicity studies in rats and monkeys,higher doses had evidence of a reversible effect on hematology, livertransaminase (mild effect in the rat only), spleen and thymus size (ratonly) and bone marrow cellularity (rat and monkey). Immunophenotyping inthe rat study revealed a significant decrease in the percentage of CD3+cells in high dose rats while a significant increase in CD45RA+ cellswas noted following recovery. Histopathology was noteworthy only formild reductions in marrow cellularity at high doses. There was noevidence for untoward effects on humoral immunity in the anti-KLHantibody assessment. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) is10-30 mg/kg/day for rats and 100 mg/kg/day for monkeys.

7.6 Drug Compound 1 is Biologically Active in In Vitro Assays

Compound 1 blocks FcεRI-dependent activation of Cord-Blood DerivedPrimary Human Mast Cells (CHMC) in a dose-dependent manner with an EC₅₀of approximately 43 nM as assessed by measuring the activity of tryptasereleased upon degranulation. Compound 1 does not inhibitionomycin-induced degranulation of CHMCs. Ionomycin is a calciumionophore that induces CHMC degranulation bypassing early FcR signaling,thus indicating that Compound 1 is specific to FcR signaling, and notdegranulation per se. Compound 1 also inhibits the FcεRI-dependentproduction and release of LTC4 (EC₅₀=39 nM) and all cytokines tested(EC₅₀ ranging from 158 nM-462 nM).

7.7 Drug Compound 1 is Effective in Animal Models of RheumatoidArthritis

The biologic activity of Compound 1 in IC-mediated vascular edema(Arthus reaction in the rat), in collagen antibody-induced arthritis inthe mouse, and in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis.

7.7.1 Arthus Reaction

IC-mediated acute inflammatory tissue injury is implicated in a varietyof human autoimmune diseases, including vasculitis, serum sickness,systemic lupus erythematosus, RA, and glomerulonephritis. The classicalexperimental model for IC-mediated tissue injury is the Reverse PassiveArthus (RPA) reaction. Intravenous injection of antigen (ovalbumin, OVA)following intradermal injection of antibodies specific to OVA (rabbitanti-OVA IgG) results in perivascular deposition of IC and a rapidinflammatory response characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration,and hemorrhage at the injection sites (Szalai, et al., 2000, J. Immunol.164(1):463-468).

A single oral treatment of rats with Compound 1 one hour prior toantigen/antibody administration reduced the cutaneous RPA reaction andinflammatory edema in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of 10mg/kg oral Compound 1 inhibited extravascular leakage of Evans blue dye(OD₆₁₀) from tissue biopsies by 80% compared with vehicle control.

7.7.2 Collagen Antibody-Induced Arthritis

The anti-inflammatory activity of Compound 1 was evaluated in the mousecollagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model in which an anti-typeII collagen antibody cocktail is applied to induce arthritis (Teroto etal., 1992, J. Immunol. 148(7):2103-2108; McCoy et al., 2002, J. Clin.Invest. 110(5):651-658; Kagari et al., 2002, J. Immunol.169(3):1459-1466). This passive model differs from the traditionalrodent collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in that disease symptoms appearquickly (developing within 24-48 hrs after an IV-injection ofantibodies), arthritis is inducible in both CIA-susceptible andCIA-resistant mouse strains, and it allows evaluation of inflammationthat is independent of antibody production.

CAIA was induced in Balb/c mice by intravenous injection ofArthrogen-CIA® Monoclonal Antibody Blend (Chemicon International, Inc.,Temecula, Calif.) via the tail vein, followed 2 days later by anintraperitoneal injection of LPS. Oral Compound 1 treatment was startedwithin 4 hours of antibody administration (Day 0). The severity of thearthritis in hind-paws was scored daily (scale of 0-4 per paw, sum ofscores for both hind paws). By Day 5, both control groups, saline andvehicle, reached their peak clinical score with a disease incidence of100%.

Reduced inflammation and swelling was evident in animals treated withCompound 1, and the arthritis progressed more slowly. Treatment withCompound 1 (b.i.d.) significantly reduced clinical arthritis (p<0.05)compared with animals treated with vehicle only, while lower dose levelsof Compound 1 showed a trend toward reduced arthritis severity, diseaseincidence, and time of onset; however, the differences were notsignificant (p>0.05).

7.7.3 Collagen-Induced Arthritis

One of the experimental models for IC-mediated tissue injury is the CIAin rodents (Kleinau et al., 2000, J. Exp. Med. 191:1611-1616). Injectionof type II collagen (CII) into rodents produces an immune reaction thatcharacteristically involves inflammatory destruction of cartilage andbone of the distal joints with concomitant swelling of surroundingtissues. CIA in rats is commonly used to evaluate compounds that mightbe of potential use as drugs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis andother chronic inflammatory conditions and is induced in susceptiblestrains of either mice or rats by injection of CII in incompleteFreund's adjuvant (IFA). Administration of this emulsion gives rise topolyarthritis, characterized by synovial hyperplasia, infiltration ofmononuclear cells, pannus formation, and destruction of cartilage andbone. It has been previously well documented that antibodies to CII area prerequisite for CIA in mice, as B-cell deficient mice do not developarthritis (Svensson et al., 1998, Clin. Exp. Immunol. 111:521-526).

Syngeneic LOU rats were immunized on Day 0 with native chicken CII/IFA.Oral treatment began at the onset of arthritis symptoms (Day 10). Atotal of 59 rats were treated with either a vehicle control or Compound1 at one of four dose levels (1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, q.d. by p.o.gavage). Hind limbs were scored daily for clinical arthritis severityusing a standardized method based on the degree of joint inflammation.High resolution digital radiographs of hind limbs were obtained at theconclusion of the study (Day 28). These limbs were also analyzed forhistopathologic changes. IgG antibodies to native CII were measured inquadruplicate by ELISA. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) inarthritis severity that was evident within 7 days after initiation oftherapy in the high-dose (30 mg/kg) group that continued to improvethroughout the study. By Day 28, the clinical score in the animalstreated with vehicle alone was 6.08±0.67 compared to 2.54±0.98 in theCompound 1 30 mg/kg group (p<0.001). Blinded radiographs at studytermination (Day 28), demonstrated a significant reduction in jointdamage: 3.66±0.71 (vehicle) vs. 1.63±0.67 (Compound 1) (p<0.02) (E.Brahn. 2004). Blinded composite histopathologic studies confirmed theregression of pannus and erosions: Mean modified Mankin scores were11.8±0.9 (vehicle) vs. 3.7±0.9 (30 mg/kg Compound 1) (p<0.001).Antibodies to native CII were not decreased in Compound 1-treated rats.

7.8 The Prodrug Compounds are Orally Bioavailable

Prodrug Compound 4 was tested for oral bioavailability. For the study,the prodrug was dissolved in various vehicles (e.g. PEG 400 solution andCMC suspension) for intravenous and oral dosing in the rats. Whereindicated, the active metabolite Compound 1 compound (drug) wasformulated and administered in the same vehicles. Followingadministration of the prodrug and/or drug, plasma samples were obtainedand extracted. The plasma concentrations of the prodrug and/or drug weredetermined by high performance liquid chromatography/tandem massspectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methods. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performedbased on the plasma concentration data. The pharmacokinetic parametersof interest include Clearance (CL), Volume of distribution atsteady-state (Vss), terminal half-life (t_(1/2)), and oralbioavailability (% F).

The results of these various pharmacokinetic experiments are illustratedin FIGS. 4-12.

Referring to FIG. 4, PK profiles are shown for IV and PO administrationin Spraque-Dawley rats. For IV administration, Compound 4 was dissolvedin PEG-400 and administered at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Rapid disappearance ofprodrug Compound 4 was observed and drug Compound 1 was found in plasmasamples obtained from the jugular vein. Given orally in the samevehicle, no prodrug Compound 4 was present systemically, but high levelsof drug metabolite Compound 1 were observed.

FIG. 5 summarizes the PK parameters for the study described in FIG. 4.Prodrug Compound 4 is rapidly cleared and, in part, converted to drugCompound 1. Given orally at a dose of 4 mg/kg, bioavailability wasdetermined to be 29.9%. This bioavailability number is based on dataobtained from a previous study (data not shown) in which drug Compound 1was administered as an IV bolus dose at 1 mg/kg.

FIG. 6 compares drug Compound 1 exposure in Sprague-Dawley ratsfollowing oral administration of either drug Compound 1 (2.5 mg/kg inPEG-400) or prodrug Compound 4 (4 mg/kg in PEG-400). The values forAUC/dose are nearly identical indicating that the prodrug Compound 4 isabsorbed equally as well as drug Compound 1.

FIG. 7 shows a plot of cLogD vs pH calculated using in-situ predictionsfor both Compound 1 and Compound 4. Compound 1 is highly liphophyllicand only weakly ionizable (measured solubility is less than 1 mcg/ml inphosphate buffer at pH=7.5, data not shown). In contrast, Compound 4 ishighly polar at neutral pH. Measured solubility values are consistentwith the predicted cLogD values at pH=7.5.

FIG. 8 demonstrates that prodrug Compound 4 is stable under acidic andneutral conditions at 37° C.

FIG. 9 illustrates the conversion of prodrug Compound 4 to drug Compound1 in microsome preparations. Prodrug Compound 4 failed to convert todrug Compound 1 in microsomal preparations obtained from Xenotech. Infollow-up studies using intestinal and hepatic microsomes obtained froma different source, conversion of Compound 4 to Compound 1 was observed(data not shown).

FIG. 10 illustrates that prodrug Compound 4 is unstable in ratplasma—hydrolysis to drug Compound 1 is observed and the conversion toCompound 1 is thought to be catalyzed by phosphatase enzymes. Thepresence of Phosphatase activity in rat plasma was confirmed usingp-nitrophenyl phosphate—a known substrate for phosphatase.

FIG. 11 illustrates the absorption of prodrug Compound 4 from differentvehicles. Unlike drug Compound 1, absorption of prodrug Compound 4 isnot dependent on formulation. Prodrug Compound 4 is absorbed equallywell in solution formulations (PEG-400 and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC))and as a powder in hard gelatin capsules.

Based on the pharmacokinetic data, the oral bioavailability (% F) ofprodrug Compound 4 from all three vehicles tested (PEG-400 solution; CMCSolution; and powder in capsules) was determined to be approx. 30%.

1. (canceled)
 2. A compound according to structural formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or N-oxide thereof, wherein: Yis selected from CH₂, NR²⁴, O, S, S(O) and S(O)₂; Z¹ and Z² are each,independently of one another, selected from CH and N; R² is selectedfrom (C1-C6) alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the sameor different R⁸ groups, (C3-C8) cycloalkyl optionally substituted withone or more of the same or different R⁸ groups, 3-8 memberedcycloheteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same ordifferent R⁸ groups, (C6-C14) aryl optionally substituted with one ormore of the same or different R⁸ groups, and 5-15 membered heteroaryloptionally substituted with one or more of the same or different R⁸groups; R⁵ is selected from halo, cyano, nitro, and trihalomethyl; R⁸ isselected from R^(a), R^(b), R^(a) substituted with one or more of thesame or different R^(a) or R^(b), —OR^(a) substituted with one or moreof the same or different R^(a) or R^(b), —B(OR^(a))₂, —B(NR^(c)R^(c))₂,—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b), —(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —O—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b), —O—CHR^(a)R^(b), —O—CR^(a)(R^(b))₂,—O—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —O—(CH₂)_(m)—CH[(CH₂)_(m)R^(b)]R^(b),—S—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),—C(O)NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —O—(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),—O—(CHR^(a))_(m)—C(O)NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b),—S—(CHR^(a))_(m)—C(O)NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b),—NH—(CHR^(a))_(m)—R^(b), —N[(CH₂)_(m)R^(b)]₂,—NH—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b), NH—C(O) (CH₂)_(m)—CHR^(b)R^(b) and—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—C(O)—NH—(CH₂)_(m)—R^(b); R¹⁷ is selected from hydrogen,halogen, and lower alkyl or, alternatively, R¹⁷ may be taken togetherwith R¹⁸ to form an oxo (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom towhich they are attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbonatoms; R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, and lower alkyl or,alternatively, R¹⁸ may be taken together with R¹⁷ to form an oxo (═O)group or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, aspirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms; R¹⁹ is selected fromhydrogen and lower alkyl or, alternatively, R¹⁹ may be taken togetherwith R²⁰ to form an oxo (═O) group or, together with the carbon atom towhich they are attached, a spirocycle containing from 3 to 7 carbonatoms; R²⁰ is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl or, alternatively,R²⁰ may be taken together with R¹⁹ to form an oxo (═O) group or,together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, a spirocyclecontaining from 3 to 7 carbon atoms; each R^(a) is, independently of theothers, selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, (C4-C11)cycloalkylalkyl, (C6-C10) aryl, (C7-C16) arylalkyl, 2-6 memberedheteroalkyl, 3-8 membered cycloheteroalkyl, 4-11 memberedcycloheteroalkylalkyl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl and 6-16 memberedheteroarylalkyl; each R^(b) is a group independently selected from ═O,—OR^(a), (C1-C3) haloalkyloxy, ═S, —SR^(a), ═NR^(a), ═NOR^(a),—NR^(c)R^(c), halogen, —CF₃, —CN, —NC, —OCN, —SCN, —NO, —NO₂, ═N₂, —N₃,—S(O)R³, —S(O)₂R³, —S(O)₂OR^(a), —S(O)NR^(c)R^(c), —S(O)₂NR^(c)R^(c),—OS(O)R^(a), —OS(O)₂R^(a), —OS(O)₂OR^(a), —OS(O)₂NR^(c)R^(c),—C(O)R^(a), —C(O)OR^(a), —C(O)NR^(c)R^(c), —C(NH)NR^(c)R^(c),—C(NR^(a))NR^(c)R^(c), —C(NOH)R^(a), —C(NOH)NR^(c)R^(c), —OC(O)R^(a),—OC(O)OR^(a), —OC(O)NR^(c)Rc, —OC(NH)NR^(c)R^(c),—OC(NR^(a))NR^(c)R^(c), —[NHC(O)]_(n)R^(a), —[NR^(a)C(O)]_(n)R^(a),—[NHC(O)]_(n)OR^(a), —[NR^(a)C(O)]_(n)OR^(a), —[NHC(O)]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c),—[NR^(a)C(O)]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c), —[NHC(NH)]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c) and—[NR^(a)C(NR^(a))]_(n)NR^(c)R^(c); each R^(c) is, independently of theothers, R^(a), or, alternatively, the two R^(c) bonded to the samenitrogen atom are taken together with that nitrogen atom to form a 5 to8-membered cycloheteroalkyl or heteroaryl which may optionally includeone or more of the same or different additional heteroatoms and whichmay optionally be substituted with one or more of the same or differentR^(a) groups; R²¹, R²² and R²³ are each, independently of one another,selected from hydrogen and R^(P); R^(P) is —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)-A-R³,where A is O or S; each R^(d) is, independently of the others, selectedfrom hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionallysubstituted (C6-C14) aryl and optionally substituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl;where the optional substituents are, independently of one another,selected from hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, (C6-C14) aryloxy, loweralkoxyalkyl and halogen, or, alternatively, two R^(d) bonded to the samecarbon atom, taken together with the carbon atom to which they arebonded, form a cycloalkyl group containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; R³comprises, together with the heteroatom, A, to which it is bonded, analcohol, a thiol, an ether, a thioether, an ester, a thioester, anamide, a carbonate, a thiocarbonate, a carbamate, a thiocarbamate, aurea, a phosphate, a phosphate salt or a phosphate ester; y is 1 or 2;R²⁴ is selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl and R^(P); each m is,independently of the others, an integer from 1 to 3; and each n is,independently of the others, an integer from 0 to 3, with the provisothat at least one of R²¹, R²², R²³ and R²⁴ is a progroup R^(P).
 3. Thecompound of claim 2 in which R⁵ is fluoro.
 4. The compound of claim 2 inwhich R² is a phenyl optionally substituted with one or more of the sameor different R⁸ groups.
 5. The compound of claim 4 in which R² is3,4,5-tri(lower alkoxy)phenyl.
 6. The compound of claim 5 in which R² is3,4,5-(trimethoxy)phenyl.
 7. The compound of claim 2 in which Y is O, Z¹is CH, Z² is N, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are each methyl, and R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are takentogether to form an oxo group.
 8. The compound of claim 7 in which R² isa phenyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same ordifferent R⁸ groups.
 9. The compound of claim 8 in which R² is3,4,5-tri(lower alkoxy)phenyl.
 10. The compound of claim 9 in which R²is 3,4,5-(trimethoxy)phenyl.
 11. The compound of claim 10 in which onlyR²¹ is R^(P).
 12. The compound of claim 11 in which R^(P) includes atleast one comprises a group selected from the group consisting of anester, a thioester, an ether, a thioether, a carbonate, an amide, and acarbamate.
 13. The compound of claim 10 in which R³ comprises togetherwith the heteroatom, A, to which it is bonded, a phosphate group. 14.The compound of claim 13 in which the R^(P) has the formula—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OH)₂, or a salt thereof, where y is 1 or 2;each R^(d) is, independently of the others, selected from hydrogen,optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted (C6-C14) aryland optionally substituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl; where the optionalsubstituents are, independently of one another, selected from hydroxyl,lower alkoxy, (C6-C14) aryloxy, lower alkoxyalkyl, and halogen, or,alternatively, two R^(d) bonded to the same carbon atom are takentogether with the carbon atom to which they are bonded to form acycloalkyl group containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms.
 15. The compoundof claim 13 in which R^(P) is selected from —CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂,—CH₂CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂ and salts thereof.
 16. The compound of claim 11 inwhich R^(p) comprises a phosphate ester group.
 17. The compound of claim16 in which R^(P) is selected from the group consisting of—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(e))(OH),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—P(O)(OR^(e))(OR^(e)),

and salts thereof, wherein each R^(e) is, independently of the others,selected from substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted (C6-C14) aryl, substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20)arylalkyl, —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—C(O)R^(d)R^(d))_(y)—O—C(O)OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—S—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—S—C(O)OR^(f),—(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—NH—C(O)R^(f), —(CR^(d)R^(d))_(y)—NH—C(O)ORF and—Si(R^(d))₃, wherein each R^(f) is, independently of the others,selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted (C6-C14) aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl; each R^(g) is, independently of theothers, selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl; each R^(h) is,independently of the others, selected from hydrogen, substituted orunsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted lowercycloheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted (C6-C14) aryl,substituted or unsubstituted (C7-C20) arylalkyl and substituted orunsubstituted 5-14 membered heteroaryl; z is an integer ranging from 0to 2; and R^(d) and y are as defined in claim
 14. 18. The compound ofclaim 11 in which R^(P) is selected from the group consisting of—CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂, —CH₂CH₂—O—P(O)(OH)₂, and —CH₂OH or a salt thereof.19-22. (canceled)
 23. A method of inhibiting cell degranulation in asubject, comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compoundaccording to claim 2 effective to inhibit degranulation.
 24. The methodof claim 23 in which the disease is selected from an allergic disease,low grade scarring, a disease associated with tissue destruction, adisease associated with tissue inflammation, inflammation and scarring.25. The method of claim 23 in which the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.26. A method of inhibiting an activity of a Syk kinase in a subject,comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compoundaccording to claim 2 effective to inhibit the Syk kinase activity.
 27. Amethod of inhibiting an Fc receptor signal transduction cascade in asubject, comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compoundaccording to claim 2 effective to inhibit the Fc receptor signaltransduction cascade.
 28. The method of claim 27 in which the Fcreceptor is selected from FcαRI, FcγRI, FcγR II and FcεRI.
 29. Themethod of treating or preventing an autoimmune disease in a subject,and/or one or more symptoms associated therewith, comprisingadministering to the subject an amount of a compound according to claim2 effective to treat or prevent the autoimmune disease.
 30. The methodof claim 29 in which the autoimmune disease is selected from autoimmunediseases that are frequently designated as single organ or singlecell-type autoimmune disorders and autoimmune diseases that arefrequently designated as involving systemic autoimmune disorder.
 31. Themethod of claim 29 in which the autoimmune disease is selected fromHashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmuneatrophic gastritis of pernicious anemia, autoimmune encephalomyelitis,autoimmune orchitis, Goodpasture's disease, autoimmune thrombocytopenia,sympathetic ophthalmia, myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease, primarybiliary cirrhosis, chronic aggressive hepatitis, ulcerative colitis,membranous glomerulopathy, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoidarthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, Reiter's syndrome,polymyositis-dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, polyarteritis nodosa,multiple sclerosis and bullous pemphigoid.
 32. A method of treatingrheumatoid arthritis in a subject, comprising administering to a subjectsuffering from rheumatoid arthritis an amount of a compound according toclaim 2 effective to provide therapeutic benefit.
 33. The method ofclaim 32 in which the amount of the compound administered is effectiveto achieve a serum concentration of the corresponding drug that is at orabove the IC₅₀ of Syk inhibition of the drug, as measured in an in vitroassay. 34-40. (canceled)